Bhopal, June 9 -- A probe into the irregularities in the Madhya Pradesh constable examination revealed an elaborate fraud involving manipulation of Aadhaar biometrics and an intricate web of aspirants, "solvers" and officials at the Aadhaar updation kiosks. In 2023, the MP Employee Selection Board (MPSEB) conducted the examination for recruitment of 7,411 constables in the state police. The fraud unraveled when the joining process began last month during which the biometrics of the selected candidate were being verified to identify the person who wrote the exam, officials said. It took two years for the joining process to begin as the final result was delayed due to the 2023 assembly election, 2024 Lok Sabha election and a court case on OBC reservation. "During a physical examination, authorities found a few suspects who did not look identical to the pictures in their Aadhaar card but their biometrics were correct," deputy inspector general of police (selection and recruitment wing) Virendra Singh said, adding that it was hard to believe that the biometric system was breached. The recruitment wing then wrote to police authorities across the state to check for any such discrepancies and make a list of suspects. "Impersonation was revealed when the district authorities matched the photos and videos taken at the centre with candidates who came to join the post," he added. Police identified two masterminds - Shyam Meena and Amitabh Rawat - who arranged "solvers" for the written exam and fit men (different from the "solvers") for the physical test by altering fingerprints at a cost of Rs 10 lakh per candidate. The breakthrough came after a student, Sonu Rawat, and a "solver", Satendra Rawat, arrested on May 19 revealed the involvement of Meena and Rawat. Morena superintendent of police Sameer Saurabh said a man from Chhattisgarh and another from Sheopur provided Meena and Rawat with kiosk IDs to access the updation process via an unauthorised system. During interrogation, Meena and Rawat revealed that they misused this facility by having the candidate provide impressions of fingers to meet the 78% requirement and the solver would provide thumb impressions, Saurabh explained. "Once the Aadhaar was updated, the solver would reach the exam centre and provide thumb impressions for biometric validation, enabling them to appear in the exam on behalf of the candidate," he added. Further, the accused ensured that the candidate provided a hazy picture to make it difficult for examination officials to recognize them. The system used by MPESB relies on UIDAI's authentication technology which was manipulated, said an officer requesting anonymity. So far, police have identified 30 suspects who updated their Aadhar Cards at least two times within three to four days ahead of the written exam in 2023. "In 20 cases, the data, including the photo of the person who took the exam and the person who came to join, was found to be different. Thumb impressions of all candidates were also found to be different from those who took the exam," said Singh. At least 20 FIRs have been filed and 13 people, including four candidates, three solvers, and two Aadhar Card updation kiosk operators, have been arrested, Singh said. The MP police has now written to UIDAI urging them to not allow unlimited updates....