In a shroud of mystery, answer scripts of different semesters of computer science and engineering department of Chittagong University (CU) were found burnt yesterday.

Around 600 scripts of third, fifth and seventh semesters were burnt, said Prof Mohammad Osiur Rahman, chairperson of the department.

The answer scripts were kept in the store room of the department, situated inside the chairperson's room.

Three padlocks were found broken, indicating that some "miscreants" might have entered the building early yesterday and subsequently the room by breaking those, he said.

They then set fire to the answer scripts of nine courses, said the chairman, adding that he had informed the matter to the university administration.

Meanwhile, the university authorities formed a three-member probe committee headed by Prof Mahabubur Rahman, dean of biological science faculty, to investigate the incident, said CU Assistant Proctor Litan Mitra.

The committee was asked to submit its report within five working days, he added.

He said they had already lodged a complaint with police.

Md Belal Mohammad Jahangir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Hathazari Police Station, said they were trying to find the culprits.