Punjab CM Rules Out Paper Leak, Says Police Foiled High-Tech Cheating Racket in Pharmacy Officer Exam

Chandigarh, July 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has dismissed allegations of a question paper leak in the recently conducted Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, asserting that the integrity of the examination process remained intact. He clarified that the incident involved an organised, technology-driven cheating racket that was detected and dismantled by the Punjab Police before it could affect the recruitment process.

Addressing concerns over the examination, Mann said the case was not related to any breach of the question paper but rather an elaborate attempt by a criminal network to facilitate cheating using sophisticated electronic gadgets. The Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption and malpractice in recruitment examinations, assuring candidates that strict action would be taken against all those involved.

According to the investigation, the accused used advanced devices such as pen cameras, wireless communication systems, modified mobile phones and concealed earpieces to transmit answers to candidates in real time while they were inside the examination halls. The operation was allegedly designed to manipulate the merit list by providing unfair assistance to selected candidates during the test.

Punjab Police launched a swift operation and arrested 31 people in connection with the racket, including 21 candidates who appeared for the examination and 10 handlers suspected of managing the operation. Preliminary findings indicate that the gang was running an organised cheating network and allegedly charged candidates anywhere between ₹3.5 lakh and ₹10 lakh in exchange for facilitating malpractice during the recruitment examination.

Chief Minister Mann emphasised that investigators have found no evidence of a question paper leak or the involvement of any government official in the conspiracy. He maintained that the examination system remained secure and that the incident was an isolated attempt to cheat through illegal technological means rather than a failure of the recruitment process itself.

Highlighting his government’s record, Mann said that no recruitment examination paper has been leaked in Punjab during the past five years under his administration. He asserted that the latest incident should not be misrepresented as a paper leak, as the authorities had successfully exposed the racket before it could compromise the credibility of the recruitment exercise.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, the Chief Minister said recruitment to government posts would continue to be based solely on merit and qualifications. He praised the Punjab Police for swiftly dismantling the cheating syndicate and assured that stringent legal action would be taken against every individual involved, regardless of their position or influence.

Mann concluded by stating that the Punjab government remains committed to protecting the integrity of competitive examinations and ensuring that deserving candidates receive equal opportunities without the interference of organised cheating networks.