The mastermind of paper leak of police constable recruitment examination-2023 conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board (UPPRPB) has been arrested by the Special Task Force from Greater Noida, a senior police officer said here on Wednesday.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said that the main accused and the mastermind of the paper leak Rajiv Nayan Mishra was arrested by the STF, which is probing the case, from Pari Chowk in Greater Noida in Gautam Buddha Nagar late on Tuesday evening.

"He was wanted in the case lodged at Kankar Khera in Meerut in connection with a paper leak," he said.

It may be noted that the recruitment examination was held on February 17 and 18. After the reports of paper leak an inquiry was ordered and cases were lodged in this connection.

He said that on the basis of investigation and questioning of the accused arrested earlier, the name of the main accused and mastermind, Rajiv Nayan, a native of Prayagraj district currently residing in Bhopal, came to fore.

An STF spokesman said that Rajiv (32) completed civil engineering from a college in Bhopal. "During his college days Rajiv came into contact with Subhash Prakash and Atul Vats and they started a gang of ensuring admission in various colleges in lieu of money.

"Earlier, Rajiv was arrested in connection with paper leak of nursing staff recruitment under NHM in Bhopal and was sent to Gwalior jail," he said.

He said that through Atul Vats Rajiv came into contact with Dr Sharad, who ran a paper leak gang, and was associated with Ravi Attri.

"Rajiv along with Ravi Attri got the paper of the UP police constable recruitment examination leaked," he said.

The spokesman said that Rajiv along with his gang members read out the paper to around 300 aspirants in Shiv Mahashakti resort in Rewa in Madhya Pradesh.

"Similarly, Rajiv along with Ravi Attri, Vikram Pahal alias Hawaldar and other gang members read out the paper to around 500 aspirants in Green Valley resort in Gurugram in Haryana," he said.

The ADG said that Rajiv had also been jailed in connection with leaking the paper of UP TET in the past.

"Information about money trail in the crime has also been received. Evidence is being collected in this regard and the matter is being investigated thoroughly," he said.

(With UNI inputs)