159 candidates detained in Jharkhand excise constable exam leak probe

A major suspected paper leak racket linked to the Jharkhand excise constable recruitment examination was uncovered in Ranchi after police detained 159 candidates from an under-construction house.

According to the administration, the raid was carried out late in the evening after police received a confidential tip-off that candidates had been gathered at the location, in Rargaon under the Tamar police station area and were being made to memorise likely examination questions before the test. During the operation, officials recovered four sets of question papers along with answer keys.

Preliminary scrutiny found that some of the recovered questions matched the actual examination paper. Out of the 120 questions in the exam, one Khortha language question was confirmed to have leaked, while another was found to be a partial match. However, officials clarified that there is no conclusive evidence yet to confirm a complete paper leak.

The details were shared during a joint press conference attended by IAS officer Prashant Kumar, the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner and the Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police. Investigators identified the alleged mastermind as Atul Vats, who is said to be linked to a solver gang and has previously been accused in similar examination fraud cases.

Police said the gang had allegedly struck deals worth around Rs 15 lakh with candidates. The accused had also reportedly collected admit cards and other documents from the aspirants as part of the operation.

Taking a strict stand, the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission chairman announced that all 159 detained candidates would be debarred from future commission examinations. Police are continuing efforts to trace other members of the gang, and further action in the case is underway.

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