Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested two absconding candidates in connection with an alleged OMR sheet manipulation scam linked to the Laboratory Assistant Direct Recruitment Examination-2018. Investigators claim the accused obtained government jobs after marks on their answer sheets were fraudulently altered during the scanning process, enabling them to secure positions despite extremely low actual scores.
Evaluative Database Rigging and Third-Party Vendor Interceptions
The arrested candidates have been identified as Mahendra Kumar Meena (31) from Karauli district and Devendra Singh Gurjar (28) from Dausa district. Both are currently being questioned, while investigators continue to examine the possible involvement of additional individuals connected to the alleged recruitment fraud.
According to SOG officials, the case emerged during an investigation into irregularities in the recruitment process. Authorities allege that marks recorded in the OMR scanning system were manipulated to provide unfair advantages to selected candidates and facilitate their inclusion in the final merit list.
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Board Rescanning Verifications and Single-Digit Score Realities
The inquiry found that Mahendra Kumar Meena’s OMR scanning record reflected 165 marks, while a fresh verification and rescanning exercise conducted by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board reportedly revealed that his actual score was only 4 marks. Similarly, Devendra Singh Gurjar was shown as having secured 191 marks, but a subsequent examination allegedly found that his original score was merely 2 marks.
Investigators believe the discrepancy points to deliberate tampering during the digitisation and scanning stage of the evaluation process. The alleged manipulation enabled candidates with negligible scores to appear competitive enough to qualify for government appointments.
Corporate Accountabilities and Executive Custodial Apprehensions
SOG officials stated that the case is part of a broader probe into suspected irregularities affecting multiple candidates. Preliminary findings suggest that a group of individuals associated with the scanning and processing of OMR sheets may have altered examination records to benefit selected applicants.
According to the investigation, employees identified as Vinod Kumar Gaur and Shadan Khan, working under Rabhav Ltd—the agency responsible for processing the optical data—along with others, allegedly manipulated the OMR records of 27 candidates, enabling them to secure places in the final selection list. Authorities claim the alterations were carried out through the scanning system used for processing examination answer sheets.
The probe had earlier led to the arrest of the two company employees as well as Rampravesh Singh, an executive director associated with the firm involved in the scanning process. Investigators are now examining whether the alleged fraud extended beyond the identified candidates and whether additional beneficiaries were involved.
Officials believe the case could represent a significant breach of the integrity of the recruitment system. The investigation is focusing on digital records, scanning logs, data trails and technical evidence to determine how the alleged manipulation was executed and whether safeguards were deliberately bypassed.
Server Log Forensics and Electronic System Security Mandates
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said recruitment-related frauds increasingly involve tampering with digital processes rather than conventional methods. According to him, forensic examination of server logs, scan records, user access histories and audit trails is critical in identifying how examination data may have been altered and who had access to the systems involved.
The SOG has indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that further arrests are possible. Authorities are scrutinising recruitment records, technical infrastructure and the role of individuals connected with the examination process to determine the full extent of the alleged scam.
Officials believe that continued analysis of digital evidence and recruitment data may reveal additional beneficiaries and help establish whether the manipulation was part of a larger organised network operating within the recruitment process.
