New BJP youth wing chief was arrested by Gujarat ATS over links to paper leak

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Gujarat after the Bharatiya Janata Party appointed an accused in the Junior Clerk paper leak case as a district youth wing president.

Akash Patel, who was earlier arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad in connection with the 2023 Junior Clerk examination paper leak, has now been named the Aravalli district president of the BJP Yuva Morcha. The move has triggered sharp reactions within political circles and among the public.

The Junior Clerk exam, conducted in January 2023, was cancelled after a major paper leak scam involving transactions worth crores came to light. During the probe, the ATS had busted a network linked to a printing press in Telangana, identifying multiple accused involved in leaking the paper.

Akash Patel, resident of Bayad, was among more than 25 accused named in the case. He is alleged to have paid around ₹10 lakh to procure the exam paper in advance. He was arrested during the investigation and later released as the legal process continued.

Sources indicate that Patel’s family holds local political influence, with his uncle reportedly serving as a councillor, which has fuelled speculation about how he secured the party position.

The development has also sparked discussions on upcoming local body elections, with political observers suggesting that Patel may be positioning himself for a party ticket after being given a key organisational role in the youth wing.

The appointment has raised questions over the state government cracking down on paper leak cases. 

While the government has introduced stricter laws to curb such offences, the inclusion of an accused in a party post has drawn criticism.