Meerut: Military Intelligence (Central Command) has uncovered a sophisticated cheating racket during the Tradesman Mate recruitment examination held at the 510 Army Base Workshop. Authorities detained 19 youths, allegedly linked to an organised solver gang based in Haryana, along with a woman who is currently being questioned for her involvement in the scheme.
Disruption During Examination
The examination, scheduled from 11 am to 1 pm, was disrupted when security personnel observed candidates behaving suspiciously at the entry gate. A subsequent search and internal sweep of the examination hall led to the recovery of mobile phones and SIM-enabled Bluetooth devices, which were concealed electronic gadgets used for real-time communication with external solvers.
Elaborate Methods to Bypass Security
Investigators revealed the lengths to which the candidates went to bypass security measures. To receive answers from external solvers, the accused wore modified undergarments featuring secret elastic pockets designed to hide mobile phones. Additionally, tiny Bluetooth earpieces with SIM connectivity were fitted deep inside the candidates' ears, enabling them to communicate covertly during the exam.
Security agencies suspect that this gang has a history of infiltrating recruitment examinations across the region. While the majority of the detained suspects hail from Haryana, Military Intelligence and the local police are working jointly to identify the mastermind behind the network.
Official Statement
“Army officials brought several suspicious individuals to the Sadar Bazar police station for questioning,” said SP (City) Vinayak Bhonsle. The authorities are conducting thorough interrogations to uncover the full extent of the racket and its connections.
Enhanced Security Measures
In the wake of the bust, security at the recruitment centre has been significantly tightened. The venue remains under enhanced surveillance to ensure the integrity of future proceedings and to prevent any similar attempts at cheating.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by recruitment bodies in maintaining fairness and transparency in examination processes. Joint efforts by Military Intelligence and local law enforcement are expected to bring the perpetrators to justice and deter future malpractices.
