A major cheating racket was uncovered during Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, leading to the detention of 28 candidates and seven alleged masterminds involved in an organised interstate operation. The cheating network came to light after the university’s flying squads detected candidates using electronic devices at multiple examination centres.
The suspects were later handed over to the Faridkot police, whose investigation revealed a well-planned operation involving modern surveillance equipment and real-time communication.
According to the police, 28 candidates have been taken into custody so far, along with seven alleged conspirators believed to be running the racket. During the operation, the police recovered 27 battery-operated wireless communication devices used to pass answers to candidates during the examination.
Investigators said the gang relied on hidden pen cameras, wireless earpieces and real-time dictation to help candidates cheat.
The examination, held to fill 454 Pharmacy Officer posts, attracted around 7,000 candidates. It was conducted by BFUHS at the request of the Health and Family Welfare Department. To ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, the university deployed flying squads to inspect 18 examination centres across Faridkot, Kotkapura and Ferozepur. The recruitment process evaluates candidates through a 90-mark written examination and 10 marks for professional experience.
According to the investigation, a candidate identified as Ayush in Ferozepur allegedly used a concealed pen camera to scan the question paper, which was then sent via WhatsApp to an accomplice, Sajan, in Bhiwani, Haryana. Sajan allegedly forwarded the paper to another operative, Deepak, who was stationed at a makeshift control room set up at the residence of Gurmeet Singh in Society Nagar, Faridkot. From there, the key accused, Manjit Singh and Deepak, allegedly dictated answers in real time through wireless devices to several candidates inside the examination halls.
The racket allegedly operated with corporate-level logistics and charged candidates exorbitant sums ranging from Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 13 lakh to guarantee success in the examination. Several candidates had reportedly handed over post-dated cheques as financial security to the accused. In a statement, the police said the investigation had found no evidence of a question paper leak or the involvement of any officials.
“The breach occurred entirely in real time after the examination commenced. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the mastermind behind the operation was Gurmeet Singh, an employee of Sant Kabir Polytechnic College in Fazilka,” the statement said. “On the morning of the examination, several operatives gathered at a hotel on the Faridkot-Kotkapura Road to distribute specialised battery-operated wireless micro-devices to the compromised candidates”, the statement added.
The police have also arrested seven key members of the racket from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Raids are underway to apprehend the remaining members of the gang. An FIR has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Investigators have so far found no official involvement or “insider” role in the case.
Dr Neetu Kakkar, Medical Superintendent of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, said the Health and Family Welfare Department had been briefed on the incident. She dismissed allegations of a question paper leak and clarified that the malpractice was limited to certain candidates using illicit electronic devices.
She said the state government would take the final decision on the recruitment process, which was initiated by Director of Health Services Dr Hitender Kaur on June 4. “The department has asked BFUHS to submit a detailed report, following which the higher authorities will take an appropriate decision”, she added.
