In a shocking case of examination malpractice, the Sadar police in Alwar, Rajasthan, arrested a candidate on Thursday for allegedly using sophisticated hacking techniques to cheat during the Delhi Police Driver Recruitment Exam. The test was being conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
The Unusual Exam Hall Incident
The incident unfolded on Wednesday at the MITRC College examination centre in Chikani, Alwar. The accused, identified as Surendra Saini, a resident of Bardod village in Kotputli-Behror district, was appearing for the crucial recruitment test. Observers in the hall noticed something highly unusual: the computer mouse connected to Saini's online exam system began moving on its own, and answers to the questions were being selected automatically without any physical input from the candidate.
When the vigilant observer questioned Saini about the strange activity, he initially denied any problem. To confirm their suspicion, the observer then instructed the candidate to remove his hand completely from the mouse. Despite his hands being off the device, the cursor continued to move and answers kept getting clicked, confirming a remote operation. This immediate red flag prompted the observer to alert the local Sadar police station.
The Rs 7 Lakh Deal and Hacking Operation
Following the alert, the candidate was moved to a different seat to complete the exam. Once the test concluded, police took Saini into custody for detailed interrogation. The investigation revealed a pre-planned, high-stakes cheating racket. Police allege that Saini had struck a deal worth approximately Rs 7 lakh to fraudulently pass the recruitment exam.
The modus operandi was elaborate. Before the examination day, conspirators had collected detailed information from Saini, including his photograph, the clothes he would wear, and even the specifics of his shoes. This data was likely used to identify his specific workstation to the external hacker. During the exam, an accomplice located outside the centre allegedly hacked into the computer system at Saini's designated seat. This allowed the remote operator to view the questions and input the correct answers in real-time, making the mouse move autonomously.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Probe
The Alwar police have taken the accused, Surendra Saini, on a three-day police remand for further interrogation. Authorities are now digging deeper to uncover the entire network behind this scam. Key lines of inquiry include identifying the remote hacker and the intermediaries who facilitated the Rs 7 lakh deal. This case has raised serious concerns about the security of computer-based recruitment tests conducted by major government bodies like the SSC.
This incident highlights the evolving methods of cheating in high-stakes competitive exams and underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity protocols at examination centres. The police action demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the integrity of public recruitment processes.
