Lucknow: The Hussainganj Police in Lucknow have arrested the alleged mastermind of a solver gang accused of arranging impersonation in the Uttar Pradesh Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) examination, marking a significant breakthrough in an investigation into examination malpractice.
The arrest was made as part of an ongoing campaign directed by the Lucknow Police Commissioner and the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) to curb crime and apprehend wanted offenders. The operation was carried out under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), with guidance from the Additional DCP (Central) and the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hazratganj.
The accused, identified as 38-year-old Rishikesh Singh, a resident of Sultanpur district, was arrested on July 26 following sustained surveillance and intelligence-based efforts. Police said he is alleged to have led a gang involved in arranging proxy candidates to appear in recruitment examinations on behalf of genuine applicants.
The case dates back to March 3, 2026, when authorities at Bappa Sreenarayan Vocational Girls Inter College, an examination centre in Lucknow, reported that a person was taking the Trained Graduate Teacher examination by impersonating the registered candidate, Vijay Pratap Singh. According to the complaint, the impersonator allegedly used forged documents and a fake Aadhaar card to gain entry to the examination hall.
A criminal case was subsequently registered at Hussainganj Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance, 2024. The alleged impersonator, Rajesh Pratap Singh, was arrested on the day of the incident and remanded to judicial custody.
During the investigation, police analysed technical evidence, bank transaction records and CCTV footage, which they say linked Rishikesh Singh to the conspiracy. Investigators allege that he hired Rajesh Pratap Singh to appear in the examination for ₹15 lakh, of which ₹7 lakh was transferred to the impersonator’s bank account. Police further alleged that forged identity documents, including a fake Aadhaar card, were arranged to facilitate the fraud. According to investigators, Rishikesh Singh fled the scene on the day of the examination after abandoning his vehicle.
Following months of investigation, the accused was traced and arrested with the assistance of the Hazratganj Surveillance Cell and local intelligence inputs. He has been produced before the competent court, while police are verifying whether he has any previous criminal record in other districts.
The investigation is continuing to determine whether the accused was involved in other examination fraud cases or was part of a larger organised network engaged in recruitment examination malpractice.
