Chandigarh, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday said Punjab Police has dismantled an inter-state cheating syndicate allegedly operated from Haryana’s Bhiwani, asserting that the BFUHS Faridkot pharmacy examination case involved a sophisticated technology-driven cheating network and not a paper leak.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, the minister said the investigation had exposed an organised racket using advanced electronic devices to facilitate cheating during the examination. He maintained that the operation demonstrated Punjab’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its education system and ensuring merit-based examinations.
Bains alleged that the syndicate had been operating from Haryana for several years before extending its activities into Punjab. He criticised the Haryana government for failing to curb such networks and said the Punjab government would not allow attempts to tarnish the state’s education system. Referring to the state’s education reforms, he claimed Punjab had transformed from “Udta Punjab” to “Pardha Punjab” through transparent governance and merit-based policies.
Highlighting achievements in the education sector, the minister said the number of successful NEET candidates from Punjab government schools had risen from 437 in 2024 to 882 in 2026, while 361 students qualified JEE (Main) and 64 cleared JEE (Advanced) this year. He also said the School Education Department was exploring blockchain technology to make examination systems more secure and tamper-proof.
Inspector General of Police (Faridkot Range) Nilambri Jagdale said the operation was launched following intelligence inputs received on July 19 regarding an organised cheating network using wireless and Bluetooth-enabled devices during the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) pharmacy examination.
She said Punjab Police, with support from the Counter Intelligence Wing and Faridkot and Ferozepur Range Police, raided a house in Society Nagar, Faridkot, which had allegedly been converted into a control room for transmitting answers to candidates appearing at examination centres.
According to the IGP, police have arrested 10 handlers and 25 candidates so far, while identifying 13 handlers, including eight from Haryana and Rajasthan and five from Punjab. Three handlers and four candidates remain absconding, with raids continuing across Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab.
Police recovered 38 modified Kechaoda K33 mobile phones, 21 concealed wireless earpieces and two vehicles allegedly used in the operation. The devices had reportedly been modified to function as hidden communication tools using RF transmitters.
Jagdale clarified that the investigation had found no evidence of a paper leak or involvement of any government employee, examination official or centre supervisor. She said the racket functioned entirely from outside the examination system by using candidates equipped with concealed electronic devices.
Reiterating Punjab Police’s zero-tolerance approach towards examination fraud, the IGP said every person involved in the conspiracy would be brought to justice.
FOLLOW NOW
