20 FIRs Filed as Exam Candidates Manipulate Aadhaar Biometrics

The Arrest of a Candidate and a 'Solver' on May 19 Led Police to 2 Masterminds Who Arranged People for Written and Physical Tests

- Shruti Tomar

BHOPAL: A probe into the irregularities in the Madhya Pradesh constable examination revealed an elaborate fraud involving manipulation of Aadhaar biometrics and an intricate web of aspirants, "solvers" and officials at the Aadhaar updation kiosks.

In 2023, the MP Employee Selection Board (MPSEB) conducted the examination for recruitment of 7,411 constables in the state police. The fraud unraveled when the joining process began last month during which the biometrics of the selected candidate were being verified to identify the person who wrote the exam, officials said. It took two years for the joining process to begin as the final result was delayed due to the 2023 assembly election, 2024 Lok Sabha election and a court case on OBC reservation.

"During a physical examination, authorities found a few suspects who did not look identical to the pictures in their Aadhaar card but their biometrics were correct," deputy inspector general of police (selection and recruitment wing) Virendra Singh said, adding that it was hard to believe that the biometric system was breached.

The recruitment wing then wrote to police authorities across the state to check for any such discrepancies and make a list of suspects.

"Impersonation was revealed when the district authorities matched the photos and videos taken at the centre with candidates who came to join the post," he added.