STF Arrests Mastermind Rajeev Nayan Mishra in UP Police Constable Paper Leak Case

The UP Police Constable Recruitment Examination, which saw over 48 lakh aspirants including approximately 16 lakh women candidates, was held on February 17 and 18 across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

In a significant breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has apprehended the alleged mastermind behind the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam paper leak. Rajeev Nayan Mishra, the prime suspect in the case, was arrested from Noida, adjacent to Delhi, by STF's Meerut unit on Wednesday morning.

Mishra, who has a history of involvement in similar cases, was wanted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Act. The arrest comes following an intensive investigation into the leaking of question papers for the UP Police Constable Recruitment Exam.

Mishra, son of Dinanath Mishra and a resident of Amora village, Thana Meja Prayagraj, had orchestrated the paper leak operation. It is alleged that Mishra, along with his associates, managed to obtain the question papers from a warehouse of TCI Company in Ahmedabad. The papers were then distributed to various locations, including Gurgaon and a resort in Rewa, where they were allegedly made available to candidates through illicit means.

The STF had been on the lookout for Mishra after receiving information from informants about his whereabouts. His arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the paper leak scandal, which has rocked the recruitment process for the Uttar Pradesh Police force.

The UP Police Constable Recruitment Examination, which saw over 48 lakh aspirants including approximately 16 lakh women candidates, was held on February 17 and 18 across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. However, reports of widespread frauds led to its cancellation by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who ordered a retest within six months.

Earlier arrests made by the UP STF include 244 individuals apprehended on February 18 for allegedly plotting to adopt unfair means in the exam, as well as seven more individuals from Meerut and Delhi in March for their alleged involvement in the paper leak case. The government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of examinations and ensuring strict action against those found guilty of malpractice.

The cancellation of the exam came in response to protests from candidates who demanded a re-examination following the leakage of question papers on social media platforms. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that there would be no compromise with the sanctity of examinations and pledged the strictest action against those involved in such irregularities.

As investigations continue, authorities are working to restore public confidence in the recruitment process and uphold the principles of transparency and fairness in examinations.