Purnea: Bihar Police arrested 35 people for allegedly engaging in malpractices during the Central Staff Selection Commission’s (SSC) Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) examination at a centre in Purnea district, officials said on Thursday.

The arrests made include 12 impostors, seven employees of the examination center, 12 candidates, and six individuals from outside the operation, according to the police.

During the operation, law enforcement seized 12 blank cheques, 3 laptops, 18 mobile phones, 22 ATM cards, 52 Aadhaar cards, a printer, several four-wheelers, and Rs 4.20 lakh in cash from those involved.

12 Imposters Gave Exam on Behalf of Other Candidates

Speaking to reporters, Purnea SP Kartikeya K. Sharma said acting on a tip-off, a police team conducted a search at the Purnea Digital Examination Centre, located in Gulabbagh area, where the SSC exam for MTS was being held on November 13.

During the operation, the police uncovered that 12 impostors were taking the exam on behalf of other candidates and arrested them on the spot.

“Further investigation revealed that 12 additional candidates, who were expected to be inside the examination center, were actually solving the papers in a nearby building. These individuals, along with two other private persons, were also apprehended,” police said. 

The investigation also uncovered the involvement of several employees from the Purnea Digital Examination Centre in the malpractice.

 Seven employees of the center were arrested for their role in the scheme, according to the police.