LUCKNOW: A Telegram channel allegedly claiming to offer the question paper of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Police Constable recruitment exam for Rs 8,000 has come under police scanner, with an FIR lodged at Hussainganj police station.The complaint was filed by inspector Upendra Singh of the vigilance wing of the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB). The written examination is scheduled to be held on June 8, 9 and 10 across 1,183 examination centres in Uttar Pradesh for recruitment to 32,679 posts. More than 28 lakh candidates have applied for 32,679 vacancies in the Civil Police and equivalent categories, with examinations scheduled at 1,183 centres spread across all 75 districts of the state.Officials said the board’s social media monitoring cell, which is tracking platforms such as WhatsApp, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram to ensure a fair examination process, flagged the suspicious activity on June 6.During surveillance, a Telegram channel named “Upp Exam Paper” was found circulating messages claiming access to the exam paper through a private group. The post suggested limited slots and demanded Rs 8,000 from aspirants. Interested candidates were asked to contact an administrator identified as @MAAFIAA_365.The message also carried a QR code and bank details linked to an Airtel Payments Bank account in the name of Krishna Kumar, raising concerns of an organised attempt to dupe candidates.In his complaint, Singh alleged that the channel sought to mislead aspirants by falsely promising early access to the paper, aiming to extract money through online platforms. Officials noted that such claims could create panic, disrupt the examination process, and compromise its credibility.Police have registered a case under Sections 318(4) (dishonesty), 221 (obstructing public servant from duty), and 292 (public nuisance) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 66D of the IT Act, and relevant provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.An investigation is underway to identify those behind the channel and ascertain whether it is a fraud or linked to a larger racket. Police warned that strict action will be taken against attempts to undermine public examinations.
