Rajasthan Police SOG Arrests Dummy Candidate in RPSC Assistant Engineer Exam Fraud
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police made a significant arrest on Wednesday, apprehending a 31-year-old man accused of impersonating an original applicant in the Assistant Engineer (Civil) examination conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) in 2022. This case highlights ongoing issues of fraud in competitive government exams.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
According to officials, the accused, identified as Gurdeep Das, a resident of Hisar district in Haryana, was arrested for allegedly appearing as a dummy candidate in place of the original applicant, Indraj Singh. The examination was held on May 21, 2023, and investigators discovered that Singh had tampered with the admit card by affixing another person's photograph on the attendance sheet, arranging for Das to take the test.
Additional Director General of Police (SOG) Vishal Bansal stated that the SOG registered a case in 2024 and initiated a thorough investigation. Earlier, Singh and two of his associates were arrested, and a chargesheet was filed in court last year. During further probes, Das, who was absconding, was traced and apprehended, with the SOG announcing a reward of Rs 25,000 for information leading to his capture.
Cheating Methods and Criminal Background
Preliminary interrogation revealed that Das allegedly used a Bluetooth device during the exam to receive external assistance, providing an undue advantage to the original candidate. This sophisticated cheating method raises concerns about the integrity of examination processes.
Officials noted that Das does not hold any engineering degree and has only passed Class 12, which has sparked suspicions of a possible paper leak in the examination. In contrast, Singh holds a degree in electrical engineering but applied for the civil engineering post, adding another layer of irregularity to the case.
Police investigations further uncovered that Das has seven criminal cases registered against him, including three in Haryana and four in Rajasthan. Some of these cases relate to impersonation in examinations, indicating a pattern of fraudulent activities.
Broader Implications and Actions Taken
The arrest underscores the challenges faced by authorities in combating exam fraud and ensuring fair competition for government positions. The SOG's efforts, led by a police inspector team that located Das in Haryana, demonstrate a commitment to upholding justice and transparency in recruitment processes.
This incident serves as a reminder of the need for stringent security measures during exams to prevent such malpractices. As the investigation continues, officials are likely to explore further connections and potential leaks to safeguard the credibility of future RPSC examinations.
