New Delhi: Not ruling out probing the role of alleged touts in the previous entrance examinations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today (Nov 24) said that the Common Admission Test (CAT) paper leak scandal has "huge ramifications" and detailed investigations were necessary to find out their other accomplices.

"I am very sad at the developments as this might discourage the students who prepare for whole year religiously. But anyway, we will probe into everything and bring to light the facts," CBI Director P C Sharma told reporters in the capital, a day after the bursting of possible countrywide scam.

Asked whether the probe would be limited to leaking of yesterday's question paper of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), he said, "No. We might have to carry out the probe into earlier exams also. The investigation has to go backwards."

The CBI arrested four persons yesterday (Nov 23) for leaking question papers of Common Admission Test for Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

P C Sharma also said according to the preliminary investigations, the same gang was involved in leaking question papers of earlier exams also.

Asked which all-India level exams had come under the scanner, he said, "We are investigating. Let us see. The accused have given us some indications, which need to be verified first before we launch an investigation into the case".

The CBI Director also said preliminary estimates suggested that the gang had allegedly minted money to the tune of over Rs 100 crore so far but commented, "I believe the scam is more larger, bigger and wider in nature and the amount estimated so far may be too small.”

PTI