Ex-Vyapam Scamster Held for Fraud in UP Police Recruitment Exam

Amitabh Rawat, previously involved in the Vyapam scam, has been arrested for allegedly committing fraud in the Uttar Pradesh police recruitment examination. Rawat arranged proxy candidates, bypassed biometric tests, and engaged in paper leaks and screen sharing during online exams.

In a significant development, a 47-year-old man previously jailed for his involvement in the infamous Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh has been arrested from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, for alleged fraud in the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh police recruitment examination.

Accused Identified as Amitabh Rawat

The accused, identified as Amitabh Rawat, is a former teacher who hails from the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. He was apprehended by the Noida unit of the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) on Tuesday, February 20, 2023.

History of Involvement in Exam Fraud

According to the police, Rawat has a history of arranging proxy candidates, commonly known as "solvers," who appeared for various government recruitment examinations in Madhya Pradesh since 2013. His involvement in such fraudulent activities led to his arrest in 2017 for fraud related to the Vyapam recruitment examination.

Previous Conviction and Release

Following his arrest in 2017, Rawat was lodged in a jail in the Gwalior district of Madhya Pradesh for five years. However, he was released on bail in 2020 after an appeal in the high court.

Continued Fraudulent Activities

Despite his previous conviction, Rawat continued his fraudulent activities in several recruitment examinations in Madhya Pradesh since 2021. He employed various cheating methods, including using proxy candidates, bypassing biometric tests, leaking question papers, and using screen sharing in online exams.

Modus Operandi in UP Police Recruitment Exam

In the case of the UP Police constable recruitment exams held on February 17 and 18, Rawat, through an identified Agra-based associate, collected money from several aspirants on the pretext of providing them question papers before the exam.

Arrest in Jhansi

Acting on specific intelligence, a team of STF Noida, under the supervision of Additional SP Rajkumar Mishra and DSP Navendu Kumar, along with the Jhansi Police, apprehended Rawat while he was waiting in his car near the Crafts Fair Ground in Jhansi.

Legal Proceedings

An FIR in connection with this case has been lodged at the Nawabad police station in Jhansi, where further legal proceedings are underway.

Background of Vyapam Scam

The Vyapam scam, which came to light in 2013, involved a nexus of gangsters, officials, and political leaders in the rigging of entrance examinations for the Madhya Pradesh government service and professional courses. The scandal led to widespread outrage and investigations, resulting in the arrest and conviction of several individuals.

The arrest of Amitabh Rawat, a former Vyapam scam accused, for his involvement in fraud in the UP Police recruitment exam highlights the persistent issue of cheating and irregularities in recruitment processes. It underscores the need for stringent measures and vigilance to ensure fair and transparent recruitment practices in government examinations.