Assam-Based Technical Mastermind Arrested in Varanasi for Fake Learning Licence Scam
The Jalna police have successfully apprehended a suspect from Assam in Varanasi, who is believed to be the technical mastermind behind a sophisticated fake learning licence racket. This illicit operation cleverly circumvented mandatory online examinations and OTP verification processes, raising serious concerns about digital security in government systems.
Case Origins and Investigation Details
The case first came to light in November 2025 following a formal complaint lodged by Abhijit Kaduba Bavaskar, the assistant motor vehicle inspector at the Jalna Regional Transport Office (RTO). Investigators revealed that the accused allegedly developed and supplied counterfeit websites, which were utilized by nearly 70 individuals across the nation to obtain fraudulent learning licences.
Amar Shiv Bharti, a 25-year-old private-sector employee residing in Guwahati, was arrested during a meticulously coordinated interstate operation. This operation involved the local crime branch (LCB) and the cyber police station, who were probing unauthorized access to the government's critical Sarathi and Vahan portals.
Multi-Layered Racket Structure
Police officials described the racket as comprising multiple intricate layers, including local agents, website operators, and technical facilitators. Superintendent of Police Ajaykumar Bansal provided detailed insights into the operation's mechanics.
"One accused acted as a local agent, collecting applicants' documents and forwarding them via WhatsApp to bypass the mandatory learning test," SP Bansal explained. "Another accused, based in Kashmir, operated the website that illegally offered services such as learning licences and even RC book copies."
Bharti, arrested from Varanasi, played a pivotal role in this scheme. "Interrogation revealed that he developed and supplied these websites to the Kashmir-based operator and others. Prima facie, he appears to be the key technical mastermind, providing such illegal platforms to nearly 70 people," the SP emphasized.
Legal Framework and Digital Evidence
The case was officially registered on November 26, 2025, with the Jalna cyber police station filing an FIR. The charges invoked sections 318(4), 336(2)(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, the Motor Vehicles Act, and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
Additional Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopany highlighted Bharti's crucial role as the linchpin in the case. "We are examining digital evidence to identify all users and beneficiaries," he stated, noting that Bharti frequently shifted between Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi to evade capture.
"After extensive technical tracking, he was detained in Varanasi and produced before a Jalna court on January 31, which remanded him to police custody until February 5," ASP Nopany added.
Expanding Arrests and Ongoing Probe
With Bharti's arrest, the total number of accused individuals held in connection with this case has now risen to four. The investigation continues to delve deeper into the digital footprints left by the racket, aiming to uncover the full extent of its operations and bring all involved parties to justice.
This case underscores the growing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating cyber-enabled fraud, particularly when it involves critical government portals and public trust in official documentation processes.
