BFUHS pharmacy officer exam cheating busted: 28 candidates arrested, high-tech interstate gang used pen cameras, wireless devices
PTC Web Desk: A major cheating racket was uncovered during Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, leading to the detention of 28 candidates and seven alleged masterminds involved in an organised interstate operation.
The cheating network came to light after the university's flying squads detected candidates using sophisticated electronic devices at multiple examination centres. The suspects were later handed over to the Faridkot police, whose investigation revealed a well-planned operation involving modern surveillance equipment and real-time communication.
According to the police, 28 candidates have been taken into custody so far, along with seven alleged conspirators believed to be running the racket.
During the operation, the police recovered 27 battery-operated wireless communication devices used to pass answers to candidates during the examination.
Investigators said the gang relied on hidden pen cameras, wireless earpieces and real-time dictation to help candidates cheat.
The Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination was conducted on July 19 from 11 am to 1.30 pm. The police said the question paper was not leaked before the examination.
Instead, shortly after the exam began, one of the candidates, identified as Ayush, allegedly used a concealed pen camera to photograph the question paper between 11.10 am and 11.25 am.
The images were reportedly sent via WhatsApp to an aide in Bhiwani, Haryana, who then forwarded them to another member of the gang operating from a temporary control room in Faridkot.
From there, answers were communicated in real time to candidates inside examination centres using wireless devices.
The preliminary investigation has identified Gurmeet Singh, an employee of Sant Kabir Polytechnic College in Fazilka, as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. The police said the gang charged candidates anywhere between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 13 lakh to help them clear the examination.
In several cases, the accused also collected post-dated cheques (PDCs) from candidates as a security guarantee.
Investigators revealed that the gang assembled at a hotel on the Faridkot-Kotkapura Road on the morning of the examination.
Candidates who had allegedly paid for assistance were supplied with specially designed battery-powered wireless devices before leaving for their respective examination centres.
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The police said the investigation has not found any evidence that the question paper was leaked before the examination. Officials also clarified that, so far, no university official or examination staff member has been found involved in the case.
According to investigators, the examination system remained secure and the cheating took place only after the test had started through the misuse of hidden electronic devices.
Police have launched a detailed investigation to identify more people connected to the interstate network and determine whether similar methods were used in previous recruitment examinations.
Authorities have also indicated that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
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Meanwhile, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has also issued its official statement regarding the cheating case reported during the recruitment examination.
Speaking to the media, BFUHS Registrar Arvind Kumar said that the university's flying squad was the first to detect a candidate cheating during the examination. According to him, the candidate was using a Bluetooth device to receive assistance.
The Registrar further clarified that the question paper was not leaked before the examination. Instead, he said that photographs of the question paper were allegedly sent outside while the test was in progress.
He also revealed that a total of 28 candidates involved in cheating have been caught in connection with the case. The university had already received prior intelligence inputs regarding these candidates, which helped officials take timely action during the examination.
- PTC NEWS
