Following an NDTV report that exposed a widespread scam in the Madhya Pradesh police constable recruitment exam, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered a strict crackdown, vowing to ensure justice for deserving candidates. The scam, which involved biometric fraud, impersonation, and manipulated Aadhaar data, has triggered outrage and raised serious questions about the integrity of the state's recruitment processes.
The investigation was initiated after anomalies were detected during the physical test rounds in the Morena district. Officials uncovered a pattern of multiple Aadhaar updates, altered biometrics, and impersonators taking written exams on behalf of actual candidates. With over 960,000 applicants vying for 7,411 constable posts, the stakes were incredibly high, making the recruitment process a prime target for organized fraud.
According to reports, a "solver mafia" charged candidates between Rs 4-5 lakh to clear the written exams using fake identities. These solvers would take the exams, and the original candidates would later update their Aadhaar credentials to reclaim their place. Aadhaar centers in Bhitarwar, Morena, and Sheopur are under scrutiny for enabling the mass-scale biometric manipulation which allowed undeserving candidates to steal opportunities from genuine aspirants.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has condemned the scam, calling it a betrayal of thousands of deserving candidates. In a strongly worded statement, he directed immediate and stern action against those involved. The police headquarters has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and launched a thorough investigation into the biometric data and Aadhaar history of all selected candidates. The Chief Minister assured that criminal cases would be registered wherever impersonation is prima facie established, and strict action would be ensured.
So far, 19 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed, and 12 people have been arrested. Over 100 suspects, including Aadhaar operators and candidates, are under investigation. One solver is alleged to have appeared in six different exams, successfully clearing five of them. The ramifications of the scam extend beyond Madhya Pradesh, with potential links to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Delhi, evoking memories of the infamous Vyapam scandal from a decade ago.
The current scandal has drawn comparisons to the Bollywood film "Munna Bhai MBBS," where a protagonist employs a proxy to take his medical exams. Similarly, in this recruitment scam, individuals known as "solvers" impersonated candidates, manipulated Aadhaar data, and underwent biometric updates before and after the exams to switch identities. The fraud was exposed during the final verification stage when biometric mismatches were detected.
The Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters issued directives on April 21, 2025, mandating a thorough re-verification of all successful candidates. This includes biometric and Aadhaar history checks from their designated units before final appointments are made. Forensic analysis of signatures, handwriting, and fingerprints has confirmed discrepancies, leading to the registration of cases across multiple locations.
The unearthing of this scam has crushed the aspirations of numerous candidates who had diligently prepared for the recruitment exam. As investigations continue, authorities are determined to bring all those involved to justice and restore faith in the integrity of the state's recruitment processes.
