Two doctors from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, were arrested along with three others for reportedly helping candidates cheat in the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test for Doctor of Medicine (MD). The arrests were made by the Dehradun police on Sunday evening near Barrage Road in Rishikesh.
The accused include Dr. Ajit Singh, 44, from Jind in Haryana; Dr. Vaibhav Kashyap, 23, from Patiala in Punjab; Aman Siwach, 24, from Rohtak in Haryana; and two individuals from Hisar in Haryana, Vipul Gaura, 31, and Jayant, 22. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh confirmed that the group was caught red-handed while operating from a car.
The arrested individuals, Dr. Ajit Singh, 44, of Jind, Haryana; Dr. Vaibhav Kashyap, 23, of Patiala, Punjab; Aman Siwach, 24, of Rohtak, Haryana; Vipul Gaura, 31, and Jayant, 22, both of Hisar, Haryana, allegedly assisted three candidates at an exam center in Himachal Pradesh by using an instant messaging app to solve the question paper during the exam, which was held on Sunday. Striking a deal of Rs 50 lakh with three candidates in Kangra, three accused enlisted the help of two doctors by promising them Rs 2 lakh each to solve the paper. The three candidates paid half the amount, Rs 25 lakh, upfront, with the remaining amount to be given after the results are released on May 25. The candidates sent photographs of the question paper through the app, and the doctors provided answers through the same medium. Following the arrests, police confiscated three tablets, several mobile phones, two medical course books, and a car used by the accused. Investigation to identify any additional suspects involved in the cheating scheme is onAjai Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun
The police reported that the accused were involved in a plan where they promised to help candidates appearing for the entrance exam by solving the question paper in exchange for a large sum of money. A deal was made with three candidates from Kangra worth Rs 50 lakh. The accused allegedly agreed to provide answers to the candidates during the exam through an instant messaging app. The two doctors, for their help, Dr. Singh and Dr. Kashyap were each received Rs 2 lakh.
On the day of the exam, held in Himachal Pradesh, the candidates took photographs of the question paper and sent them to the accused using the messaging app. In return, the doctors provided the answers through the same app. The candidates had paid Rs 25 lakh upfront, with the remaining amount to be settled after the results were announced on May 25.
Following the arrests, the police seized three tablets, several mobile phones, two medical course books, and the car used by the accused. SSP Ajai Singh stated that the investigation is ongoing to uncover any additional suspects who may be involved in the cheating scheme.
This incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of competitive examinations and the lengths to which some individuals will go to secure admission into prestigious medical programs. The involvement of medical professionals in such fraudulent activities is particularly alarming, highlighting a breach of trust and ethics within the medical community.
The arrests were made possible by the diligent efforts of the Dehradun police, who acted on a tip-off and conducted a raid that led to the capture of the accused. The authorities are now focusing on tracing the money trail and identifying any other candidates who may have been involved in the cheating network.
The incident's direct consequences are expected to require additional analysis of the examination processes and the security measures in place to prevent such malpractices. The Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test for MD is a highly competitive examination, and any breach in its conduct can have far-reaching implications for the credibility of the selection process.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)