The MDCAT paper leak has led to serious charges against two senior officials from the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), who are accused of exploiting the examination process for substantial financial gains and undermining the integrity of the test. More than 38,000 candidates appeared for the MDCAT on September 22, organized by DUHS across five cities in Sindh. Shortly after the exam, the Young Doctors Association raised allegations of the MDCAT paper leak before the exam began, demanding a thorough investigation.
On October 26, a bench of the Sindh High Court ordered a retake of the exam within four weeks after a probe committee concluded that the September 22 test had been compromised. The retake, held on December 8, was marred by mismanagement, with the exam starting two hours behind schedule, causing significant hardship to the affected students.
An FIR was filed on Tuesday at the FIA’s Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Karachi by human rights activist Bilawal Mallah, accusing the DUHS examination controller, deputy controller, and 13 other suspects of a range of offenses related to the MDCAT paper leak. These charges include unauthorized access to information, electronic fraud, and violations of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, along with various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code related to cheating, forgery, and dishonesty.
The FIA launched an inquiry on October 18 after receiving a complaint about the MDCAT paper leak, which was believed to have harmed the careers of meritorious students in Sindh. The investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in selling and distributing exam materials through social media, compromising the confidentiality of the exam during its preparation phase. The leaked content, including key questions and answers, was disseminated across various social media platforms, further damaging the exam’s credibility.
The inquiry found that the accused individuals gained substantial financial rewards from their actions, exploiting the MDCAT paper leak for monetary benefit. The investigation revealed that this malpractice not only compromised the fairness of the medical entry test but also eroded public trust in the examination system. As part of the investigation, the suspects’ mobile phones were seized, and their statements recorded. Forensic and technical reports further corroborated their involvement in orchestrating the leak.
While some forensic reports for certain suspects are still pending, the evidence gathered so far indicates criminal intent, including electronic forgery, fraud using forged documents, and a breach of trust, causing harm to both students and the credibility of the authorities responsible for conducting the MDCAT paper leak.
