Opposition Raises Issues with Cheating in Exam; Sanitation Workers Beaten Up

July

2026

The Panjab police have busted an inter-state cheating racket in operation during the Pharmacy Officer Recruitment Examination, conducted by Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) in Faridkot, Panjab on 19 Jul. The police have arrested 35 persons, including seven key conspirators, and 28 candidates. They were using miniature Bluetooth devices concealed inside their turbans, socks, and undergarments. Around 7K candidates took the exam to fill 454 Pharmacy Officer posts. It was conducted by BFUHS at the request of the Panjab Health and Family Welfare Department. According to investigation, a candidate identified as Ayush in Ferozepur allegedly used a concealed pen camera to scan the question paper, which he sent via WhatsApp to an accomplice Sajan in Bhiwani, Haryana. Sajan sent it to a ‘control room’ in Faridkot. The main accused, Manjit Singh and Deepak, allegedly dictated answers in real time through wireless devices to several candidates inside the examination halls. Candidates paid USD 10K through post-dated checks for the leaked exam. With Panjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) actively supporting the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in New Delhi against examination paper leaks in India, the Panjab opposition has raised the issue about cheating in the state’s exams. India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sacked their education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. When AAP leader Manish Sisodia reached the New Delhi protest site, Jantar Mantar, to congratulate CJP on the success of their protest, Panjab Youth Congress president Shuvam Devgun asked him if Panjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains would also resign. Meanwhile, on 22 Jul, amid an ongoing strike by sanitation workers, the Barnala district administration launched a garbage collection drive in the city. Protesters opposed the drive, prompting the police to baton-charge in an attempt to disperse them. Leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Indian National Congress (INC), and farmer unions condemned the police action. Bathinda SAD Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, 'It was an unprovoked assault on poor people, and it is totally unacceptable. We demand immediate medical assistance and acceptance of their long-pending legitimate demands without any further delay.' INC Member of Legislative Assembly from Barnala, Kuldeep Singh Dhillon said, 'Demanding one’s rightful dues is not a crime, but it seems that under the AAP government.' Panjab government has suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police Satvir Singh in the matter (earlier coverage).