Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal (formerly associated with AAP, now critical of the party) has attacked AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over alleged delays and silence on recruitment exam irregularities in Punjab.
In a recent post (translated from Hindi), she stated that it has been six months since the paper leak concerns in the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB/SSSB) exams, yet no proper investigation has been initiated by the Kejriwal-Mann leadership. She also pointed to a major cheating scandal in a Pharmacy Officer recruitment exam that surfaced about four days earlier, on which they have remained silent. Maliwal accused them of focusing on “dirty politics” while Punjab’s youth face lathi charges when protesting paper leaks, cheating, and jobs.
PSSSB/Group-B paper leak probe. The case involves the recruitment exam for around 408 Group-B posts (including Naib Tehsildar, District Treasury Officer, Senior Assistant, etc.), held on December 21, 2025. Results were declared in early January 2026. Allegations arose after 22 of the top 100 candidates came from Bathinda, with reports of related candidates (couple, siblings, cousins) ranking high, and claims of whitener corrections on some question papers at a Bathinda centre, raising suspicions of pre-distribution tampering.
Around one lakh candidates appeared. The PSSSB referred the matter to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in January 2026 after complaints. As of mid-to-late July 2026 (about six months later), the probe remains incomplete, according to the DSP heading the investigation. Aspirants have demanded a speedy conclusion and possible re-examination.
Pharmacy Officer exam cheating racket: On July 19, 2026, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) conducted the exam for 454 Pharmacy Officer posts (around 7,000 candidates appeared) across centres in Faridkot, Kotkapura, and Ferozepur. Punjab Police later busted an inter-state high-tech cheating network.
35 people arrested: 28 candidates and 7 key conspirators.
Methods included concealed pen cameras to photograph the paper (sent via WhatsApp), real-time answer dictation via wireless/Bluetooth devices hidden in turbans, socks, or undergarments, and a makeshift “control room.”
Devices seized: 27 battery-operated wireless ones.
Candidates allegedly paid ₹3.5 lakh to ₹13 lakh (some with post-dated cheques).Mastermind identified as Gurmeet Singh (employee of a polytechnic college in Fazilka). Operatives linked to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.Police stated there was no pre-exam paper leak or official involvement; the breach occurred in real time after the exam started. An FIR was registered under relevant BNS and IT Act provisions. Raids for remaining members continue. The state government will decide on the recruitment process after a report from BFUHS.
Maliwal and others (including Shiromani Akali Dal leaders) have criticised the AAP government for silence or inadequate response on these issues, contrasting it with broader political rhetoric. There are also reports of earlier police action against protesting job aspirants.These cases highlight ongoing concerns about exam integrity in state recruitment processes. Developments on the Vigilance probe and any decisions on the Pharmacy recruitment are being closely watched.