Ranchi: A sophisticated cheating racket has been exposed during the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) General Duty online examination in Ranchi, where answers were allegedly being entered automatically into candidates’ computers using remote access technology.
The case came to light after Ranchi Police conducted a raid at the Futuristic Online Examination Centre near Piska More under the Pandara police outpost area. Six people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
According to officials, Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan received intelligence inputs about large-scale irregularities during Saturday’s examination. Acting on the information, a special team headed by City SP Paras Rana was formed to investigate the matter.
Police said suspicions first arose during the first shift of the exam when invigilators noticed unusual activity on some computer screens. Despite candidates sitting silently and looking at their monitors, answers were allegedly appearing automatically on the screens, indicating possible external control of the systems.
After receiving the alert, police and examination officials immediately launched an investigation. Officials from the examination centre also lodged a formal complaint regarding the suspected malpractice.
During the raid, police inspected the computer systems, internet network and other electronic equipment installed at the centre. Six people, including candidates as well as individuals associated with the technical operations of the exam centre, were detained and later arrested.
Several computers and digital devices have been seized from the spot. Officials said the equipment will undergo forensic examination to determine how the online exam was manipulated and whether specialised software or remote access tools were used.
Police are also probing whether the racket is linked to similar activities in other states or examination centres.
Officials said the investigation is progressing rapidly and the entire network behind the alleged scam is expected to be exposed soon. More details are likely to emerge during a police press briefing scheduled later in the day.
With inputs from IANS