UP Police STF Arrests Two In Connection With RO/ARO Exam Paper Leak

As per the STF, the two individuals obtained a copy of the exam paper from another "mastermind" via their phone a day before the examination.

UP Police STF arrests two for review officer exam paper leak. (Representative Image) ( Image Source :ANI )

Lucknow: The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested two persons for their involvement in leaking the examination papers of the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). The examination took place on February 11 across the state. Following widespread reports of paper leaks, the state government announced the cancellation of the exam on March 2.

According to a press statement issued by the STF on Thursday, "One Arun Kumar Singh and Saurabh Shukla both a native of Pratapgarh were arrested on Thursday in connection with the paper leak." The duo were called to STF headquarters where they were put under arrest after questioning.

As per the STF, the two individuals obtained a copy of the exam paper from another "mastermind" via their phone a day before the examination. Subsequently, they distributed the paper to others and charged a fee for it. Investigations into the matter are currently ongoing, as stated by STF officials.

The names of the arrested suspects will be included in the FIR filed in Kaushambi district related to the paper leak, as mentioned in the statement. This FIR was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420 (cheating by inducement), 467 (forgery of valuable documents), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), and 471 (using as genuine a forged document).

On February 11, the examination took place with an astonishing participation of 1.07 million youth vying for 411 vacancies.

Hours after the chief minister announced the cancellation of the exam on March 2, saying that he had directed officials to hold a retest six weeks later, at least one candidate reportedly died by suicide due to it.