BEGUSARAI: Bihar police uncovered a major racket on Thursday in which a gang was plotting to assist aspiring candidates in cheating on the Bihar Police Constable recruitment exam scheduled for October 1, 2023. The gang targeted aspiring candidates who frequented the local grounds for morning exercise and lured them under the pretext of helping them cheat in exchange for a hefty sum.
During raids at multiple locations across Begusarai, the police arrested five individuals and seized a significant amount of high-tech equipment and incriminating material from the spot, according to SP Yogendra Yadav. “We seized Rs. 1,95,000 in cash believed to belong to the candidates, 33 walkie-talkie devices, 16 Bluetooth devices, 6 mobile phones, one pen drive, and 136 admit cards,” he said.
MODUS OPERANDI
The police revealed that the gang operated a cheating racket under the guise of a coaching academy named ‘Indian Physical Academy Sheikhantola, Ekbana.’ They scouted for potential candidates on the local grounds where young aspirants gathered for running and physical exercises. “We had been working on intelligence for over a week, and arrested their leader Sunil Kumar, a resident of Deehi village in the Choudai PS area. Their gang charged candidates between 2-4 lakhs, promising to help them clear the recruitment exam.”
He added, “After receiving the money, the gang provided electronic devices to the candidates for the purpose of cheating. The candidates would wear a small Bluetooth earpiece, connected to a receiver device hidden behind their shirts.”
The accomplice would be stationed near the examination centre, transmitting answers to the candidates through the walkie-talkie into the earpiece they were wearing. SP Yadav explained, “The walkie-talkie device we obtained has a range of around 100 metres. Due to the small size of the earpiece, it was possible for the candidate to evade security and sit for the exam.”
ALSO READ: SENSATIONAL: Khaira under lens for 30 yrs on acquiring, selling Bhakra Dam land
The police recovered 136 admit cards during the raids, indicating that these candidates had opted for the illegal route to pass the exams, SP Yogendra informed. “We’ve formed a special raiding team to apprehend these candidates. If any of these candidates appear at the exam centre, they will be promptly taken into custody, he said”
The police also stated that there’s a possibility that the gang operates in various parts of Bihar. Preliminary investigations revealed that the mastermind, operating from Patna. “We’ve identified another alias believed to be the real mastermind of the gang, named Pramod, who operated from Patna. He’s the one providing the exam question papers and answer keys. We’ve shared these details with the Patna police team, and a team from Begusarai has also been dispatched.”
ALSO READ: Unmasking Kashmir’s conflict industry
The police emphasised that the entire plot and plan in preparation for the upcoming Bihar recruitment exam were thwarted by the Begusarai police team. “We had been monitoring their activities and had prepared for the raids five days in advance. A police team led by DSP Shyam Kishor Ranjan conducted the raid during which they apprehended Sunil Kumar, Gulshan Kumar, Rambabu Kumar, Abhay Kumar, and Bittu Kumar.”