Jaipur: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan police has arrested a long-absconding assistant accounts officer carrying a reward of ₹10,000 in connection with the high-profile 2021 Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment examination paper leak case, officials said Monday.Additional Director General of Police (SOG) Vishal Bansal said the accused, Nagesh Kumar Yadav, 32, was arrested Saturday, with the assistance of Sikar police, after evading arrest for a prolonged period. “He was working as an assistant accounts officer-II in Panchayat Samiti Ajitgarh, Sikar, and remained absent from duty and on the run since the case surfaced,” he added.According to the investigation, one accused, Kundan Kumar Padiya, allegedly procured the question paper and answer key of the SI Recruitment Examination-2021 from former Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) member Babulal Katara. The leaked material was subsequently passed on to associates Sandeep Kumar Lata and Purushottam Dadhich.At the time, Dadhich was posted as an assistant accounts officer-II in the local fund audit department in Udaipur and was acquainted with Nagesh Yadav through their departmental association. “It was found in the investigation that Nagesh allegedly struck a deal worth ₹7.5 lakh with Dadhich to obtain the examination answer set for the benefit of his brother, Surjeet Singh Yadav, who appeared for the SI examination in Kota on Sept 15, 2021,” said an officer.The answer key was allegedly shared through WhatsApp before the examination, enabling Surjeet to prepare in advance. As a result, he secured exceptionally high marks — 190.79 out of 200 in Hindi and 158.27 out of 200 in General Knowledge — and ultimately ranked 18th in the merit list, leading to his selection as a Sub-Inspector.Surjeet Singh Yadav was arrested on Oct 9, 2024, while Purushottam Dadhich was arrested on June 2, 2025. Charge sheets against both accused have already been filed in court. With the arrest of Nagesh Kumar Yadav, the total number of arrests in the SI paper leak case has risen to 144.SOG officials said further investigation is underway to identify additional beneficiaries and conspirators involved in the leak network.
