Nuh: 34 impersonators caught in crackdown on exam malpractices

Nuh police suspect the involvement of an organised racket and are investigating the school’s role in facilitating the malpractice.

Published on: Mar 4, 2025, 07:25:13 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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In a major crackdown on exam malpractices, 34 impersonators appearing for the Haryana Board Open School English Examination were caught from various centres in the district on Monday. With the Nuh administration and police intensifying efforts to curb cheating in exams, no incidents of chit throwing were reported, marking a significant improvement from previous exams.

(Representative Image)The anti-cheating campaign will continue for the entire exam period, with authorities vowing to maintain strict oversight to restore integrity in the examination process. (AFP)

According to officials, Mount Aravali School, which was also a centre for open school examinations, reported the highest number of impersonators attempting to take the exam on behalf of others. Police suspect the involvement of an organised racket and are investigating the school’s role in facilitating the malpractice.

“Thirty-four imposters have been caught, a majority of them from one school that was also an open exam centre. We suspect that an organised group is behind this, and may also involve exam centre officials. They will be nabbed soon. Importantly, there were no reports of paper leaks or chit throwing in the district today,” said Vijay Pratap Singh, superintendent of police, Nuh.

Following two major paper leaks and viral videos showing chits being thrown into exam halls, deputy commissioner (DC) Vishram Kumar Meena launched a special anti-cheating campaign. Under his leadership, the district administration, along with the SP and a 1,000-strong police force, carried out surprise inspections at vulnerable exam centres.

The administration repaired broken windows, changed centres lacking boundary walls, and deployed a heavy contingent of police at high-risk locations. Over 30 duty magistrates were appointed to monitor examination centres closely. The crackdown on impersonators was a direct result of these intensified measures, said police.

Zero tolerance to cheating, says DC

DC Meena reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to eliminating exam frauds.

“We have zero tolerance to cheating. The initial leaks were possible only due to the connivance of examination staff and centre officials. Now, we have sealed all loopholes and brought in credible staff. Every centre is under strict surveillance. Some imposters were caught red-handed, while others surrendered out of fear. We are targeting the masterminds behind this fraud, not just the students who were lured into it. Strict action has been recommended against the schools where malpractices were found, and we have written to the board to ensure that future open school exams are held at government centres,” Meena said.

To further strengthen community vigilance, the administration has roped in local village chiefs and village headman to monitor exams conducted in their respective villages.

“Panchayats will ensure compliance, and if any village is found involved in cheating, the panchayat itself will face penalties,” Meena said.

The anti-cheating campaign will continue for the entire exam period, with authorities vowing to maintain strict oversight to restore integrity in the examination process.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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