In Hazaribagh, located in Jharkhand, a sizable group exceeding 250 individuals found themselves detained due to their suspected involvement in a purported breach of examination protocol within the Bihar Public Service Commission’s (BPSC) TRE-3 exam on the most recent Friday. Preceding this event, law enforcement had apprehended five individuals under allegations of providing examination materials to the involved candidates.
Not long ago, these candidates had been transported to Hazaribagh, where they were furnished with examination materials for the BPSC TRE-3 exam and lodged within a grand hall situated in Pelawal. Upon the arrival of the examination day, these candidates vacated Pelawal at approximately 3 in the morning to reach their designated examination centers.
Acting upon received intelligence, law enforcement initiated an extensive operation resulting in the apprehension of 90 individuals from Barhi, 70 from Pelaval, 80 from Padma, 15 from Korra, and another 15 from Katkamsandi. Additionally, five suspects, purported to be the masterminds behind the leaked materials, have been detained. Substantial evidence including question papers, electronic devices such as computers, laptops, printers, and storage devices like pen drives were confiscated.
According to an authoritative figure from the Economic Offences Unit, each candidate had been levied a fee ranging between Rs 8 to 15 lakh, with an upfront payment of Rs 2 to 3 lakh. The candidates were obliged to surrender their credentials until the entire sum was settled. Suspicions arise that the illicit transactions surrounding this incident could potentially total up to Rs 50 crore.
Authorities became aware of the breach in Hazaribagh on the previous Thursday, prompting swift arrests. Further intelligence revealed that candidates were congregating in multiple locations, leading to a subsequent operation in Hazaribagh the following day. It is estimated that over 500 candidates were involved, with a significant portion managing to evade capture under the cover of darkness.
An official spokesperson disclosed, “The Economic Offences Unit, with the cooperation of Hazaribagh Police, succeeded in detaining 250 individuals from Hazaribagh Nagwan Toll Plaza, Nagwan Toll Plaza, and a local establishment.”
Following their apprehension, the candidates were transported to Patna for thorough interrogation and verification of their credentials. Officials affirm that stringent actions will be taken against any candidate found complicit in these activities, with ongoing raids conducted in Patna and its environs.
Investigations uncovered that due to the delay of the intended train, the candidates sought alternative transportation via a bus service to Biharsharif, Nawada, and Begusarai. An advance payment averaging Rs 10,000 was made to the bus operator, who departed with the candidates at 3:30 am.
In the interim, law enforcement intercepted the bus operator, instructing them to halt at nearby police stations. Consequently, the bus was intercepted at Katkamsandi, Padma, and Korra police stations, while candidates at the banquet hall were also intercepted.
Under tight security, candidates were transported to Patna late at night. Notably, a vehicle belonging to a senior Bihar official was seized during the operation. Further investigation revealed the vehicle to be a rental, and it too was escorted to Patna for further examination.