Rajasthan SOG busts dummy candidate network in 3 recruitment exam cases
Synopsis
Rajasthan's SOG has busted a coordinated dummy-candidate racket spanning two major recruitment exams, with accused paying up to ₹7.5 lakh for impersonators. Forged admit cards, tampered identity records, and an intermediary network made detection difficult — until specialised forensic software cracked the cases open.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan SOG detected three major dummy candidate cases across state recruitment exams, announced on 2 May 2025 .
Accused paid between ₹5 lakh and ₹7.5 lakh to impersonators to appear in the RPSC Lecturer exam (2022) and the Physical Education Teacher Recruitment Exam-2022 .
Key arrests include Manohar Lal (1 May), Ashok Jani (30 April), Sunil and Anil Bishnoi (1 May); main accused Deraram remains absconding.
Fraud was detected using specialised forensic software led by Paris Deshmukh ; investigation headed by ASP Tarun Somani .
All accused booked under the IPC , Rajasthan Public Examination Act, 2022 , and IT Act, 2008 .
Rajasthan's Special Operations Group (SOG) has unmasked a network of dummy candidates operating across competitive recruitment examinations in the state, with Additional Director General of Police Vishal Bansal confirming the detection of three major impersonation cases on 2 May 2025. Investigations revealed that academically weak candidates paid large sums — ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh — to more qualified individuals to appear in their place, tampering with admit cards and identity records to evade detection.
Key Developments in the Three Cases
The first case stems from the 2022 Lecturer (Hindi – School Education) examination conducted by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) on 15 October 2022. Manohar Lal, a Grade-II teacher from Jalore, allegedly appeared as a dummy candidate for one Deraram against a payment of approximately ₹5 lakh. Admit card photographs and attendance records were reportedly tampered with to execute the fraud. Manohar Lal was arrested on 1 May, while the main accused Deraram remains absconding. The case is registered as No. 25/2024 at the SOG Police Station, Jaipur.
The second case also relates to the same RPSC examination. Ashok Jani of Phalodi allegedly impersonated Ramuram, an ex-serviceman, for a fee of ₹7.5 lakh, manipulating identity details to carry out the fraud. Ramuram has already been arrested and chargesheeted, while Ashok Jani was arrested on 30 April. This case is registered as No. 24/2024.
The third case involves the Physical Education Teacher Recruitment Examination-2022, conducted by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board on 25 September 2023. Sunil, a Grade-III teacher from Jalore, allegedly appeared on behalf of Vimal Kumar Patidar through an arrangement facilitated by intermediary Anil Bishnoi. A deal of ₹6 lakh was reportedly struck, with ₹1.5 lakh paid in advance. Both Sunil and Anil Bishnoi were arrested on 1 May. The case is registered as No. 52/2024.
How the Fraud Was Detected
ADGP Bansal acknowledged that identifying dummy candidates was highly challenging given the use of meticulously forged documents. However, specialised software and advanced forensic analysis led by Paris Deshmukh enabled accurate identification and subsequent arrests. The investigation is being led by Additional Superintendent of Police Tarun Somani, and is ongoing to uncover the broader network behind these operations.
Legal Action and Charges
All accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Rajasthan Public Examination Act, 2022, and the Information Technology Act, 2008. This is notably the first time the Rajasthan Public Examination Act has been invoked in a coordinated dummy-candidate crackdown of this scale, according to SOG officials.
SOG's Zero-Tolerance Stance
The Special Operations Group reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards examination fraud and affirmed that strict action would continue to ensure transparency in government recruitment processes. This comes amid growing public concern over the integrity of competitive exams in Rajasthan, following high-profile paper-leak controversies in recent years. With the broader network still under investigation, further arrests are expected in the coming weeks.
Point of View
2022 signals a legislative intent to impose harsher consequences — but the real question is whether deterrence will hold without systemic reforms at the examination-administration level. Forged admit cards and tampered attendance records point to insider facilitation that arrests alone will not dismantle. Until the networks supplying forged documents are dismantled alongside the candidates and impersonators, this crackdown risks being a headline without structural impact.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dummy candidate network busted by Rajasthan SOG?
The Rajasthan Special Operations Group uncovered a racket in which academically weak candidates paid ₹5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh to more qualified individuals to appear in their place in government recruitment exams. Three separate cases were detected involving the RPSC Lecturer exam of 2022 and the Physical Education Teacher Recruitment Exam-2022.
Who has been arrested in the Rajasthan exam impersonation cases?
Manohar Lal (arrested 1 May), Ashok Jani (arrested 30 April), Sunil, and intermediary Anil Bishnoi (both arrested 1 May) have been taken into custody. The main accused in the first case, Deraram, remains absconding, while Ramuram in the second case has already been arrested and chargesheeted.
Under which laws have the accused been charged?
All accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Rajasthan Public Examination Act, 2022, and the Information Technology Act, 2008. The Rajasthan Public Examination Act specifically targets fraud in public recruitment and academic examinations.
How did the SOG detect the dummy candidates despite forged documents?
According to ADGP Vishal Bansal, specialised forensic software and advanced analysis led by Paris Deshmukh enabled accurate identification of impersonators despite meticulously forged admit cards and tampered attendance records. The investigation is being led by ASP Tarun Somani.
Is the investigation into the exam fraud network complete?
No. The SOG has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to uncover the broader network behind these cases. Further arrests are expected as authorities work to identify all individuals involved in facilitating the impersonation racket.
