Uttarakhand: Paper leak mastermind, aide arrested in Dehradun

A paper leak mastermind and his associate have been arrested for allegedly demanding ₹12-15 lakh from a group of students in exchange for helping them clear a recruitment examination to be held for a government job in Uttarakhand, police said.

“We received information that some students had been contacted by some persons promising to help them clear the examination. Police and the STF investigated the matter and found that a man, identified as Pankaj Gaur, contacted six students and demanded ₹12-15 lakh from them in exchange for ensuring their success in the exam,” SSP (STF) Navneet Singh Bhullar said on Saturday (September 20, 2025).

During interrogation, Mr. Gaur revealed that he was in touch with Hakam Singh, the mastermind of the paper leak racket, the SSP said.

A case was registered against the duo at the Patel Nagar police station and both Mr. Gaur and Mr. Singh were arrested, Bhullar said.

Police are also in possession of an audio recording in which the accused can be heard asking for ₹15 lakh from a candidate.

The examination for which the money was demanded by the accused is to be held on Sunday (September 21, 2025).

"Ever since a strict anti-cheating law was introduced in the state, the police, STF, and intelligence units remain active whenever recruitment exams are held.

“The arrests were made only after verification of all the details. It was found that the accused used to demand money from candidates, promising to help them pass exams," Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh said.