(MIDC) exam at a centre in Morarji Nagar, Powai, on August 9. The action followed a complaint by the exam supervisor.
The test, held between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., had 18 candidates in attendance, with a strict no-phone policy in the hall. Around 9:40 a.m., the supervisor noticed one candidate using a cellphone. When questioned, he appeared nervous. She reported the matter to the commanding officer and operations manager.
The candidate was escorted to the washroom for a search, but no phone was found, so he was permitted to continue. Later, a security guard discovered a cellphone discarded in the washroom trash bin. The device was traced to the same candidate.
Upon inspection, the phone contained 17 photographs of exam material, confirming that the candidate had been cheating. When confronted, he admitted to the malpractice. The Powai Police were called to the scene, and a formal case was lodged.
Police said the accused, a resident of Thane, had attempted to use the phone to gain unfair advantage in the test. The investigation is ongoing to determine if others were involved or assisting him. Authorities have reiterated that strict action will be taken against any form of exam malpractice to ensure fairness and integrity in recruitment processes.