Kotwali police in Kanpur have registered a first information report (FIR) against three individuals for allegedly cheating 43 job aspirants of approximately ₹80 lakh by promising appointments in the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Service Selection Commission, the police said on Thursday.
Alleged modus operandi and payments
The accused reportedly assured candidates of placements in posts such as lower division clerks, peons and gardeners, demanding large sums to secure the appointments. According to the complaint lodged with the Police Commissioner’s public grievance cell, applicants were asked to submit extensive documentation — educational certificates, medical fitness documents, affidavits, identity records and photographs — as part of a staged seven-stage process designed to appear legitimate.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of complainants | 43 |
| Alleged amount collected | ~₹80 lakh |
| Fee per promised post (reported) | ₹5 lakh |
| Advance demanded (reported) | ₹2.5 lakh |
The complaint, filed by a local cinema property caretaker identified as Sharad Awasthi, said he met an accused, Neeraj Mishra of Fazalganj, who allegedly claimed that a relative, Arvind Narayan Shukla, worked as a joint secretary at the education selection commission in Prayagraj. Mishra told applicants he could arrange direct appointments under a purported Governor’s quota, the complaint said.
- The suspects reportedly set the fee at ₹5 lakh per post, taking an advance of ₹2.5 lakh prior to issuance of appointment letters.
- Victims were told the balance would be paid after they began receiving salaries.
- Complainants allege staged visits to state offices and postponed joining dates to maintain the deception.
Examples cited in the complaint
The complainant said he paid an advance of ₹2.5 lakh between July and September 2025 to secure clerk posts for his son and daughter, but neither received appointment letters or refunds. Another person named in the complaint, identified as Shan Ali, allegedly paid ₹2 lakh in June 2025 for a clerical placement for his nephew and similarly did not receive an appointment, according to the police file.
The FIR names three accused, including Neeraj Mishra and Gyanendra Dubey, and the case is under formal investigation by Kotwali police, who registered the matter after the grievance was lodged. The police registered the complaint following the submission through the Police Commissioner’s public grievance cell, officials said.
Wider implications for aspirants and recruitment oversight
The alleged racket highlights ongoing vulnerabilities faced by jobseekers who rely on intermediaries for government recruitment. Candidates and families are frequently anxious during recruitment cycles; this case underscores the importance of adhering strictly to official application channels and circulars issued by the competent recruitment authority.
Those seeking appointments through the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Service Selection Commission or similar state recruitment bodies are advised to verify communications and payment instructions only via the commission’s official website and published notices. Keep records of all correspondence, receipts and identity documents, and report suspected fraud to local police or official grievance portals promptly.
For aspirants anxious about the legitimacy of job offers, check the commission’s notifications (official portal links and contact details are typically available on state government and commission websites) and avoid making any payments to individuals who claim they can secure appointments outside the formal recruitment process.
The case remains under investigation; the police have not released further details about arrests or recovery of funds. Updates will follow as the Kotwali police provide more information to the public and affected candidates.
