Chandigarh/Faridkot: In a major operation against examination malpractice, Punjab Police has dismantled a sophisticated inter-state cheating syndicate that allegedly attempted to manipulate the Pharmacy Officer Examination using advanced electronic gadgets. The joint operation, carried out by the Faridkot Range Police, Ferozepur Range Police and the Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing, resulted in the detention of 35 individuals, including seven key operators and 28 candidates.
According to the official press release, investigators recovered 27 battery-operated wireless cheating devices allegedly used during the examination held on 19 July 2026. Police said the accused relied on concealed pen cameras, wireless micro-devices and real-time communication technology to transmit examination questions and dictate answers to candidates inside examination centres.
Officials revealed that a candidate appearing at an examination centre in Ferozepur allegedly scanned the question paper using a hidden pen camera shortly after the exam began. The images were reportedly transmitted via WhatsApp to associates in Haryana before being forwarded to a control room in Faridkot, where the answers were prepared and relayed back to candidates through wireless devices.
Police stressed that the investigation has found no evidence of any question paper leak or involvement of examination officials, stating that the breach occurred entirely in real time after the examination had commenced. Authorities also maintained that no internal system failure has been detected.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the alleged mastermind was an employee of a polytechnic college in Fazilka. The syndicate is accused of charging candidates between ₹3.5 lakh and ₹13 lakh for guaranteed success, with several candidates reportedly providing post-dated cheques as financial security. Police further stated that specialised electronic devices were distributed to candidates from a hotel before the examination.
The seven principal accused were apprehended from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, while raids are continuing to trace other members of the network. An FIR is being registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, with investigators also examining the financial trail linked to the alleged racket.
Punjab Police described the operation as a demonstration of its zero-tolerance policy towards examination fraud and corruption, adding that swift intelligence-based action helped safeguard the integrity of the recruitment process and protect the interests of genuine candidates.
