Delhi Police Busts Major Online Exam Racket, 32 Students from Top Colleges Implicated
In a significant crackdown, Delhi Police has dismantled an alleged exam-solving racket operating from an apartment in Dwarka, revealing a sophisticated operation that manipulated online entrance examinations for over a year. Investigators suspect the gang may have tampered with at least 10 tests, targeting prestigious government and private colleges across Delhi and other states.
Arrests and Student Involvement
Three days after the initial raid, police arrested one individual, Harsh Vardhan, aged 28, while 32 students from elite institutions were bound down as part of the ongoing probe. The students hail from renowned colleges including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi Technological University, Maharaja Agrasen College, and the National Institute of Technology, among others.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh stated that authorities received a tip-off about suspicious activities on two floors of a building in Dwarka's Sector 23 on April 6. During the subsequent raid, 33 individuals were found on the premises. While Vardhan was taken into custody, the remaining 32 students were bound down for further investigation.
Modus Operandi of the Racket
Investigators detailed a highly organized chain system employed by the gang. Key members were assigned specific roles, with the operation leveraging remote desktop applications to enable cheating in online entrance exams. The group allegedly used social media to advertise their services, promising admissions to prestigious colleges for a fee.
A police source explained, "The gang identified aspirants who had failed competitive exams but were eager to secure admission to top-tier institutions. These candidates were asked to pay substantial sums, reportedly between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, for engineering college admissions."
Recruitment and Deception Tactics
Further investigation has uncovered that one of the accused, Pranjal—an engineering graduate currently absconding—played a pivotal role in recruiting high-performing students from premier institutes. According to police sources, Pranjal lured his friends and tasked them with recruiting second- or third-year students proficient in various subjects.
"We have learned that Pranjal lured his friends and tasked them with recruiting high-achieving second- or third-year students who were proficient in different subjects," a police source revealed. The students were misled into believing they were participating in an internship program, where they solved exam papers in exchange for payment.
Operational Details and Coordination
The gang operated multiple WhatsApp groups categorized by subjects such as physics, chemistry, and mathematics, adding students with relevant expertise. Members coordinated with online examination centers and used remote desktop software to access question papers as soon as they were released.
- Question papers were photographed and circulated within the groups for solutions.
- Correct answers were then fed into the original candidates' exams.
- This method allowed for real-time cheating during online tests.
Scope and Future Targets
Police sources indicated that the gang's next target was an entrance examination for a reputed management institute in Mumbai, scheduled to be conducted at an IT lab in Jaipur. "So far, we have come to know that they may have been involved in at least 10 such examinations, which are being verified," the source added.
During the investigation, 15 of the individuals found at the flat claimed direct involvement in solving exam papers, while the rest stated they had gathered for a party. Police are currently verifying these claims to determine the full extent of each person's involvement.
Vardhan, during interrogation, admitted to being in contact with four to five aspirants seeking admission to prestigious colleges nationwide. The case highlights growing concerns about the integrity of online examinations and the lengths to which organized groups will go to exploit the system.
