35 arrested as SSC online recruitment scam busted in Bihar

Police conducted a raid at an online examination centre in Bihar’s Purnea district after receiving a tip-off about irregularities in the ongoing Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar examinations. The raid resulted in the arrest of 35 individuals, including impersonators and examination centre staff, all suspected of being involved in a widespread exam fraud operation.

The examination centre, named ‘Digital Online Examination Centre’ located in Gulabbagh under Sadar police jurisdiction, had been conducting the SSC’s Tier-I exams for the Multi-Tasking and Havaldar positions. The exams, which began on October 12 and were scheduled to conclude on November 14, are part of the SSC’s nationwide recruitment for over 9,500 vacancies.

Purnea Superintendent of Police, Kartikeya Kumar Sharma, reportedly confirmed that the raid was carried out by the local cyber cell after receiving intelligence about the fraudulent activities. He revealed that 12 impersonators and 9 staff members from the exam lab were taken into custody. Based on further information from those arrested, a nearby house was also raided, leading to the arrest of 14 more individuals, including 12 original candidates who were found to be part of the scam.

Shockingly, the house was well-equipped with Wi-Fi and devices used to monitor the exam, suggesting a coordinated effort between the centre staff and external parties to facilitate the cheating operation. Along with the arrests, police seized several electronic devices, including 3 laptops, 18 mobile phones, and a Wi-Fi router, as well as documents, 12 blank cheques, 22 ATM cards, and cash amounting to Rs 4,20,400.

Police officials are investigating the possibility of a larger, organized network behind the scam. "We are exploring all avenues, and we are committed to uncovering the full extent of the operation," said SP Sharma, as per reports.

A case has been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Information Technology (IT) Act, and the Public Exam Prevention of Unfair Means Act. All 35 individuals arrested in connection with the fraud have been sent to judicial custody.

This raid follows a similar investigation into SSC exam irregularities carried out by Delhi police two months ago, which led to multiple arrests in connection with fraudulent activities during a clerical exam.