CBI arrests Russian national for manipulating software of JEE Mains examination

The foreign national was picked up by the CBI from the Bureau of Immigration at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi where he was detained on arrival from Kazakhstan.

Updated on: Oct 3, 2022, 22:56:01 IST

By HT News Desk | Written by Sohini Goswami

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A Russian national was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over his alleged role in tampering the software of the JEE Mains 2021 examination.

The CBI has issued a lookout notice (LOC) against the Russian.

The foreigner, identified as Mikhail Shargin, was interrogated by agency slueths after being picked up from the Bureau of Immigration at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi where he was detained on arrival from Almaty, Kazakhstan.

A press statement said during investigation, it came to light that some foreign nationals were involved in compromising many online examinations, including JEE (Mains). “Role of one Russian national was revealed who had allegedly tampered with the iLeon software (the platform on which the JEE(Main)-2021 examination was conducted) and that he helped other accused in hacking the computer systems of suspect candidates during the examination,” the statement added.

A lookout notice (LOC) against the man was issued by the CBI. The CBI was alerted by central agencies when the Russian national arrived at the airport from abroad, they said.

A PTI report said in September last year, the premier investigating agency had booked Affinity Education Pvt Ltd and its three directors, Siddharth Krishna, Vishwambhar Mani Tripathi and Govind Varshney, besides other touts and associates for alleged manipulation of examination.

The three directors, in conspiracy with other associates and touts, were allegdly manipulating the online examination of JEE (Mains) and facilitating aspiring students to get admission into top National Institutes of Technology in consideration of huge amounts by solving the applicants' question papers through remote access from a chosen examination centre in Sonepat (Haryana).

Searches were conducted at several 19 places earlier, including Delhi, Pune, Indore, Bangalore and Jamshedpur, and officers had seized 25 laptops, 30 post-dated cheques, several personal computers and other incriminating documents and devices.

(With bureauagency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.