SIT to probe impersonation in cops recruitment exam

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 12

The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the SDPO, Palampur, Amit Sharma to probe the impersonation in the constable recruitment exam.

The police will hold the written test for the recruitment of constables in the state again after 13 impersonators were arrested yesterday in Kangra district.

DGP SR Mardi admitted that the test had been scrapped. A meeting was being held at the Police Headquarters this evening.

The process for the recruitment of 1,050 constables had been going on for three months. The screening and physical examination of lakhs of candidates had been completed.

The Kangra police yesterday arrested 13 persons who were impersonating for many candidates in the written examination that was conducted at Paror in Kangra. Among the accused, three were from Himachal Pradesh, seven from Haryana, two from UP and one from Rajasthan.

SP Vimukt Ranjan said more arrests were likely to be made. Five candidates, for whom the accused impersonated, were detained and being questioned. The father of the candidate, who paid money to the kingpin, was also arrested. Three accomplices of the main accused were also arrested. Hi-tech equipment like cameras fitted in specially created vests, earphones and mobile devices were also seized from them. A case under Section 419 and 420 of the IPC has been registered against them.

The kingpin behind the racket Vikram of Jawali was still at large. In the raid conducted on his residence, the police had recovered Rs 11 lakh and other evidence. One car with Haryana number plate had also been seized. All accused were produced before the court today that remanded them to police custody till August 16.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said nobody would be spared. No additional fee would be charged for re-test from the candidates.

Happened earlier in Sirmaur too

• Similar incident had happened earlier also in Sirmaur during the stint of the previous Congress government. 
• Then SP Soumya Sambasivan had busted the racket
• It was found that impersonating candidates were using spy cameras and teamviewer software to crack the written examination
• The case had led the police to Detective Eye Shop in Delhi that was found to be locked
• In that case also, impersonators from Haryana were arrested for appearing for local candidates