The Bengaluru police have arrested 10 people in connection with the engineering seat admission scam.Ten people, including a staff member of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the engineering seat-blocking scam, police said on Tuesday.

According to the police, the matter came to light on November 13 when KEA officials lodged a complaint at the Malleswaram police station, reporting a suspected seat-blocking plan during the 2024-2025 undergraduate engineering admissions.

10 people including a KEA employee arrested

A senior police officer said that during the investigation, three private engineering college managers were questioned on the basis of the complaint, which led to the collection of evidence. "We have arrested 10 people, including an employee of KEA," the officer said. The others include middlemen and employees of some engineering colleges. They were produced in court and sent to 10-day police custody, he said.

Based on the complaint from KEA, a case was registered under provisions of the IT Act as well as various sections of the Indian Justice Code for cheating and criminal breach of trust, police said.

According to the FIR, some candidates were allegedly used to make option entries for colleges with the intention of taking seats.

Engineering seats under government quota blocked

The individuals obtained login IDs and passwords from 52 engineering aspirants and then made option entries on their behalf by posing as candidates. In a statement, the police alleged that the accused blocked engineering seats under the government quota in BMS Engineering College, Aakash Institute of Engineering and Technology and New Horizon College of Engineering, thereby benefiting private colleges and deserving candidates losing their opportunities.

investigation revealed

Investigation revealed that the accused had allegedly used mobile phones and laptops to log in from various locations to avail benefits of private colleges in Goa, Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Davanagere and Kadur in Chikkamagaluru, the statement said.