Hisar, Feb 17: Raipur police have dismantled a high-tech cheating operation targeting the GATE 2026 examination, resulting in the arrest of six men from Haryana. Among those detained is Narendra Kumar, a well-known mountaineer associated with the Fit India Movement, who was allegedly part of a group using Bluetooth-enabled technology to facilitate unfair means during the national-level test.
The crackdown occurred on Sunday at a digital examination centre after police received intelligence regarding planned irregularities. Officers recovered eight mobile phones and several micro-earpieces designed to be concealed within the ear canal. The scheme involved candidates reading out questions through hidden microphones, while accomplices stationed outside used internet resources to relay the correct answers.
“The police had seized electronic devices and other evidences from the accused,” declared DCP Rahul Dev Sharma. He further maintained that the court has ordered the suspects to be held in judicial custody pending further inquiries.
The arrested individuals have been identified as residents of Hisar, Fatehabad, and Jhajjar districts. According to investigators, the candidates attempted to activate their devices during breaks or washroom visits to avoid the initial security frisking. However, the coordinated movements of the group outside the venue drew the attention of the Anti-Crime and Cyber Unit.
Kumar, who has previously received accolades for his expeditions to peaks like Mount Elbrus and Mount Annapurna, now faces charges alongside his associates. The Raipur police affirmed that they are looking into whether the group charged other candidates large sums of money to provide similar assistance.
Officials stated that they have intensified monitoring at all competitive exam venues following this incident. They asserted that strict legal action will be pursued against all those found compromising the integrity of public examinations.
