Joint Police Operation Unravels High-Tech SSC Exam Fraud in Dehradun
In a significant crackdown, the Special Task Forces (STFs) of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh police collaborated to dismantle an advanced cheating syndicate targeting the Staff Selection Commission's (SSC) online recruitment examination. The operation culminated in the arrest of two individuals in Dehradun on Saturday, exposing a meticulously planned scheme that exploited technology to compromise the integrity of competitive exams.
Sophisticated Remote-Access Scheme Uncovered
According to Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth, the illicit activities were centered around the Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) recruitment test conducted by the SSC at an online examination center located within MKP Inter College in Dehradun on Friday. Acting on precise intelligence, an STF team executed a raid and discovered that perpetrators were utilizing remote-access software to solve question papers directly on candidates' computers during the examination.
DGP Seth elaborated, "The cheating was being facilitated in the MTS recruitment exam. Our team found that the perpetrators were solving questions on candidates' screens using remote-access software." He further indicated that due to the operation's sophistication and the suspected involvement of an edutech firm, the investigation might be expanded nationwide in coordination with other states. Police have formally contacted the SSC to obtain detailed information about the implicated edutech entity.
Arrests and Operational Details
The arrested individuals have been identified as Nitish Kumar, a resident of Deoria in Uttar Pradesh, and Bhaskar Naithani, from Dehradun. Inspector General (STF) Nilesh Anand Bharne provided insights into their modus operandi, stating, "The two enabled unidentified handlers to access the computer systems of candidates using remote-access software, through two laptops hidden inside a discreet room on the exam centre premises. The handlers then solved the questions on the computers of candidates who paid them around Rs 10 lakh to pass the exam."
Additional Superintendent of Police, UP STF, Brijesh Kumar Singh, detailed the technical apparatus recovered from the scene, which included networking devices, routers, adapters, and concealed underground wiring connected to the laboratory and cameras. This setup allowed for covert communication and surveillance, highlighting the racket's elaborate nature.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigation
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Control and Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act. IG Bharne emphasized, "We are probing how many exams were conducted at the same centre and are trying to identify other persons involved." Another STF officer involved in the probe revealed that approximately 16 students have come under scrutiny for allegedly paying money to the accused to pass the exam through unfair means.
The officer added, "We have also tracked down the IP addresses of the accused who remotely accessed candidates' computers to solve the questions," indicating that digital forensics are playing a crucial role in unraveling the network. The investigation continues to explore the extent of the racket, including potential connections to other examination centers and the broader implications for online recruitment processes in India.
