Guwahati, March 14: The Dibrugarh police has detained eight students and one other person in connection with the HSLC science question paper leak case.

Talking to media persons, Dibrugarh SP Shwetank Mishra on Tuesday said that most of the students detained by the police belong to Salt Brook Academy, Dibrugarh. It is learnt that five of detained students belong to the institute while three are from other institutions.

The SP further claimed that the leaked paper was forwarded by the detained students to other students in exchange of money ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. Interestingly, while the leaked paper was of the Class 10 board exam, the detained students of Salt Brook Academy were Class XI Commerce and Science students.

Mishra said, “We have detained eight students and one informant. We have not yet found the original source of the paper leakage, which was circulated through WhatsApp. The students whom we have detained have sold the leaked question paper to Class 10 students for sums ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. The monetary transaction was done through digital payment. The investigation is still underway and more people will be detained in the case. Our teams are already on the field.”

Meanwhile the police have also summoned Salt Brook Academy principal Ranjit Boruah and director Aswini Dowerah for questioning. Speaking to media, the school authority said it will fully cooperate with the investigation.

Salt Brook Academy principal Ranjit Boruah said, “We want the culprits to be punished. If our students are involved, they should not be spared. At the same time the original source and mastermind of the paper leakage should be identified and brought to book.”

On the other hand, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) staged protest against the question paper leak of HSLC in Dibrugarh. The students’ body burnt effigy of Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu and demanded his immediate resignation.