JEE scam probe: Assam Police yet to trace proxy candidate

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Even though the FIR (First Information Report) against the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination-Mains) examination scam in Guwahati was lodged on October 23, Police is yet to trace the proxy candidate.

However, probe is on to establish the identity and also the place of origin of the proxy candidate who appeared in place of the 'State topper' Neel Nakshatra Das at the Ion Digital Centre in Borjhar on September 5. Though the proxy candidate's phone number has been identified, it is not valid now, informed Police sources, adding that this is a common tactic used by most hackers to hoodwink their customers.

Sources added that it has been established that Bhargav Deka — the mastermind of the scam — had met the scamsters in Delhi and also settled the deal there.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner, Guwahati, M.P. Gupta told The Sentinel, "It has been established that the proxy candidate entered the examination hall after Neel came out. Prior to that, Neel gave his biometric attendance. The proxy candidate's dress and facemask were identical with that of Neel.

"We are also investigating the identity proof of the proxy candidate as he gave it to Bhargav Deka. However, it might not be the actual one. We feel that the deal was struck at around Rs 20 lakh."

He added, "The Ion Digital Centre is a subsidiary wing of the TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) that conducts the JEE examinations. Investigation is on to find if more TCS employees are having links with Deka.

"We are also examining the names of people found in the hard disk of the computer belonging to Deka. If required, they might be called for interrogation. Many persons are under our scanner."

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