Delhi Police have dismantled a high-tech inter-state examination cheating syndicate that targeted competitive recruitment tests across three northern states. The enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of seven key individuals, including the primary operative managing the fraudulent network. Investigations revealed that the organization was headed by an active fireman serving in the Chandigarh Fire Department, widely recognized in illegal paper leak circles as Sonu Paperwala or Sonu Mann. The syndicate had been operating undetected for the past two years across Delhi, Haryana, and Chandigarh, systematically compromising official recruitment processes.
Suspicious Movement in Exam Center Uncovers Hidden Gadgets
The illegal network came to light on July 26 during the Lower Divisional Clerk (LDC) recruitment examination hosted at Central Sanskrit University in Delhi. Shortly after the examination commenced, invigilators monitoring the test hall noticed candidate Arti exhibiting unusual distress, repeatedly tugging at her ear and stretching her neck in an awkward manner. Suspicious of her repeated movements, female invigilators conducted a targeted physical search, discovering a tiny wireless Bluetooth transmission device concealed inside her clothing. An external associate positioned outside the venue was actively dictating answers through the device. Simultaneously, invigilators apprehended candidate Hemant, who was using micro nano earbuds linked to a customized SIM-enabled electronic module inside the hall.
₹10 Lakh Deal Structured to Pass LDC Recruitment Test
Following the discovery of the electronic gadgets, an FIR was registered at Janakpuri Police Station under the newly enacted Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act alongside relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Sustained interrogation of the apprehended candidates exposed the internal hierarchy of the operation. Candidate Arti disclosed that the Bluetooth transmitter, nano earbuds, and customized mobile device were provided by her friend Sunny, an administrative staff member at Delhi University (DU). The arrangement involved a total fee of ₹10 lakh, which was scheduled to be transferred only after her successful selection in the exam results.
Rohtak Middlemen Provide Crucial Trail to Syndicate Mastermind
Based on leads extracted from the candidates, police investigators identified and arrested three middlemen named Rinku, Virendra, and Deepak, all hailing from Rohtak in Haryana. These intermediaries served as candidate recruiters, bringing aspiring job seekers into contact with the syndicate. During custodial interrogation, broker Deepak confessed that he operated directly under instructions from mastermind Sonu Paperwala, negotiating financial deals of up to ₹8 lakh per candidate for guaranteed passing marks in recruitment tests.
Mastermind Trapped on Dadri Bypass While Planning Next Breach
To apprehend the mastermind, a specialized investigation unit was deployed under the supervision of Inspector Dinesh Kumar. By combining technical surveillance, call data records, and social media tracking, the team successfully located Sonu Kumar, alias Sonu Paperwala. Police teams established a blockade along Dadri Bypass Road in Charkhi Dadri district, Haryana, and trapped him. At the moment of his capture, Sonu was actively coordinating plans to breach and leak question papers for an upcoming Haryana state government recruitment exam.
Two-Year Operational History and Seizure of Electronic Assets
Law enforcement officers seized a wide array of specialized electronic equipment from the suspects, including custom-modified mobile phones, active SIM cards, micro nano earbuds, and multiple illicit communication gadgets. According to Delhi Police, the syndicate had been systematically infiltrating public recruitment drives for over two years. All seven arrested suspects remain in police custody while investigators work to trace additional brokers, technical facilitators, and beneficiary candidates who utilized the network.
