Jaipur, August 4: The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) has arrested Atul Meena, a 31-year-old Assistant Engineer in the Water Resources Department, for allegedly purchasing a leaked question paper for the Junior Engineer (JEN) Combined Recruitment Exam-2020 for ₹25 lakhs. This exam was re-conducted in 2021 after irregularities were reported.
According to SOG Additional Director General (ADG) Vishal Bansal, the accused made the deal through a relative of the main accused in the paper leak gang and obtained the solved question paper.
The JEN Combined Recruitment Exam-2020 was cancelled due to the irregularities, and a re-examination was held on September 12, 2021. During the investigation, SOG discovered that the question paper for the re-examination had also leaked before the exam and reached members of the gang. Following this, a separate case was registered on January 19, 2026, leading to a detailed investigation.
The first arrested accused, Harshvardhan Kumar Meena alias ‘Patwar’, revealed during interrogation that he had provided the leaked question paper to several candidates, including Atul Meena. Investigating agencies allege that Atul Meena agreed to pay ₹25 lakhs to obtain the question paper.
The investigation revealed that the deal was facilitated through a close relative of Harshvardhan Kumar Meena. After the agreement, Atul Meena received the leaked question paper before the exam.
Atul Meena is currently working as an Assistant Engineer in the Kota subdivision of the Water Resources Department. Officials are also investigating whether his selection in the department was aided by the leaked question paper.
According to SOG, before succeeding in the JEN recruitment, Atul Meena had participated in nearly a dozen competitive recruitment exams, and his role in other exams is also under scrutiny.
Following his arrest, Atul Meena was presented in court, where he was remanded to police custody until August 5. The SOG is interrogating him to identify other beneficiaries, investigate financial transactions, and uncover the entire network.
ADG Vishal Bansal stated that the investigation is ongoing, and the roles of other suspects are also being examined. He emphasized that legal action will be taken against all individuals found guilty based on the evidence.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.