Haridwar Police have announced the arrest of Khalid Malik, identified as the primary suspect in the high-profile Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) 2025 examination paper leak. Malik, who had been at large for three days, was apprehended in Haridwar’s Laksar area and subsequently transferred to Dehradun Police for further inquiry.
Investigators revealed that Malik, who participated as a candidate in the UKSSSC exam, allegedly smuggled an electronic device into the examination center at Adarsh Bal Sadan Inter College in Bahadurpur Jat village, Pathri, Haridwar. He is accused of photographing three pages of the undergraduate-level question paper and transmitting them to his sister, Sabia’s, mobile phone. These leaked screenshots quickly circulated on social media shortly after the examination commenced on September 21, 2025.
Family’s Involvement in the Scheme
Police reports indicate that Sabia, 35, played a crucial role by forwarding the leaked photos to Suman, an assistant professor in Tehri, who then provided the answers to aid Khalid in cheating. Sabia was arrested previously, and authorities are currently investigating the potential involvement of another sister, Hina, in the scam.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Singh Dobal confirmed that the arrest was the result of a collaborative effort, involving coordinated raids with the support of the revenue department, electricity officials, and the Nagar Panchayat. During these operations, an illegal electricity connection was discovered at Khalid’s residence, leading to a case being filed against his father under Section 135 of the Electricity Act.
Progress of the Investigation
Rishikesh Superintendent of Police (SP) Jaya Baluni, who leads the investigation, informed PTI that substantial evidence clearly links Khalid to the paper leak. Baluni stated, "Sabia transmitted the paper to Suman, who then provided answers for Khalid. Given her direct involvement, she was promptly arrested." She further added that the examination center’s principal, the room inspector, and personnel responsible for jammer installation have all been questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
Government’s Firm Stance
Uttarakhand Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli affirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the "strictest possible action" in this case, emphasizing that it is the first instance prosecuted under the new Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Prevention and Control of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance, 2023. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also publicly vowed that all individuals implicated in exam malpractice will face justice.
UKSSSC Chairman Ganesh Singh Martolia expressed concern over the incident, characterizing it as "an attempt to help a particular person" and raising questions about how photographs were taken despite the presence of jammers. In response to the leak, Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh quickly formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve deeper into the matter.
A formal case has been registered against four identified individuals and other unidentified persons under the relevant sections of the ordinance at Raipur police station, Dehradun.