Ashok Kumar Meena, accused of being the mastermind of a cheating racket linked to the AYUSH Ministry’s online recruitment examination, has been arrested from Jodhpur after allegedly remaining absconding for six months, according to details available from the report and related police-linked posts. He carried a reward of ₹25,000 and is accused of facilitating cheating for more than 50 candidates by using hacked examination centre systems and outside experts to deliver answers.
Mastermind Arrested After Six Months
According to the available details, Meena was wanted in connection with an organised cheating network in the AYUSH Ministry’s MTS recruitment examination. Police-linked social media posts identified him as the alleged mastermind of the racket and said he had been arrested by Kota City Police after being on the run.
The case reportedly involved candidates being charged around ₹15 lakh each for assistance in the online recruitment examination. The racket had facilitated cheating for more than 50 candidates, placing the alleged value of the operation in crores.
FCRF’s Flagship Cyber Law Certification Returns With a New Four-Week Cohort
Exam Centre Computers Allegedly Hacked
Investigators have accused the network of hacking computers at examination centres to manipulate the online test process. The racket allegedly used technical access to help candidates receive answers during the examination.
The experts sitting outside the examination centres were used to provide answers to candidates. This points to a coordinated system in which the exam process was allegedly compromised through both technical interference and external assistance.
Police Probe Organised Cheating Network
Police-linked posts said the case was connected to the AYUSH Ministry’s MTS recruitment examination and that Meena was carrying a ₹25,000 reward at the time of his arrest. Some posts described the action as part of a crackdown by Kota police against organised cheating in online examinations.
The arrest is expected to help investigators examine the wider network behind the alleged malpractice, including those who helped arrange candidates, access exam systems and deliver answers from outside. Further questioning is likely to focus on how many candidates benefited from the racket and how the exam centre computers were allegedly compromised.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
