Mumbai: The multi-crore answer-paper scam that rocked Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has taken a new turn with anti-corruption bureau (ACB) arresting MPSC member Saili Joshi for her alleged complicity in the crime.

Joshi was arrested in Pune on June 8, after she was discharged from a hospital. ACB brought her to Mumbai and lodged her in Bhoiwada lock-up, ACB sources said.

She would be produced on June 9 before a special court hearing the scam, the sources said.

According to ACB, Joshi is the prime accused in the scam and allegedly involved in the conspiracy. She was in hospital for more than a month and allegedly trying to evade arrest, the sources said.

About 21 accused, including former MPSC chairpersons, S D Karnik and P D Wani, have been arrested in the scam. They are in judicial custody.

The accused had considered to replace answers sheets of 399 candidates who appeared for 1999 written examination conducted by MPSC for the post of sub-inspector of police, Sales Tax Inspector and Mantralaya Assistants.

According to ACB, each candidate was asked to pay a bribe of a sum ranging from Rs three lakh to Rs five lakh.

PTI