Lucknow: In a significant breakthrough against cyber-enabled examination fraud, a joint team of Hussainganj Police and the Central Zone Surveillance Unit arrested a man accused of operating a Telegram channel named “EXAM PAPER WALLAH” and allegedly spreading misleading messages claiming to provide the question paper for the Uttar Pradesh Home Guards written examination.
The action was taken under a special campaign launched on the directions of the Police Commissioner of Lucknow and the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime and Headquarters) to curb criminal activities and ensure the integrity of public examinations.
According to police officials, the case came to light on April 24, 2026, when Rajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Inspector, Vigilance Wing of the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, reported suspicious activity on social media. During online monitoring, authorities found that the Telegram channel was allegedly circulating messages offering access to the UP Home Guards Enrollment-2025 examination paper before the test. Investigators said the messages were intended to mislead candidates, create confusion, and generate unlawful monetary gains through fraudulent means.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at Hussainganj Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance, 2024.
With the assistance of the surveillance team and technical investigation, police identified and arrested the accused, Prakash Mishra (27), a resident of Mohan Garden, New Delhi. He was taken into custody from his residence on June 10, 2026, and is being produced before the competent court for further legal proceedings.
Police stated that one other accused linked to the same case had already been arrested earlier and sent to judicial custody. Authorities are also verifying the accused’s criminal history with police stations and agencies in other districts and states.
The investigation is continuing to identify additional individuals involved in the alleged examination fraud network and to determine the extent of its operations.
The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of Uttar Pradesh Police to safeguard the credibility of competitive examinations and take strict action against those attempting to exploit candidates through online misinformation and fraudulent schemes.
