Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Apr 8: In a significant breakthrough, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has arrested Ravi Bhushan, the alleged mastermind behind the massive Community Health Officer (CHO) examination scam, along with his associate Shashi Ranjan, in Patna district.
The arrests are linked to the July 2024 CHO recruitment exam, which had advertised 4,500 vacancies under the Bihar State Health Society. The exam was held at 12 online centres via Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, handled by the private firm We Shine Tech Pvt Ltd.
However, investigations revealed a large-scale cheating racket involving proxy candidates and remote access software. EOU officials disclosed that Bhushan’s gang, in collusion with exam centre operators and the private firm, used remote tools to take over candidates’ computers during the test.
“Deals were struck for Rs 4 to 5 lac with candidates. Using remote access, solvers completed the test on their behalf,” said an EOU official.
Ravi Bhushan, hailing from Mubarakpur village in Nalanda, was arrested from Bhagwatpur along with Shashi Ranjan alias Happy, a resident of Besaur village. Police also seized three mobile phones from them.
EOU findings show Bhushan had been involved in the online examination ecosystem since 2017, starting with the Galaxy Online Centre in Patna. He later expanded operations to Mumbai and Delhi, floating a firm named BRANCIZE Technology Pvt Ltd, which even secured tenders for national exams like AIIMS Manglagiri (Andhra Pradesh) in December 2024.
However, that exam was postponed following the CHO paper leak and Bhushan’s alleged involvement.
So far, 40 individuals have been arrested in connection with the scam. The case is being probed under FIR No 28/2024 registered at the EOU Police Station in Patna, with more racketeers and exam centre operators under investigation