UP Home Guard Recruitment: Candidates Extorted by Being Falsely Told They Had Deviated Nasal Septums or Poor Eyesight

A commotion erupted during the Home Guard recruitment process over the extortion of candidates under the pretext of ensuring they passed their medical examinations. Candidates assaulted a man found sitting in a doctor’s car—accusing him of involvement in the extortion—before handing him over to the police.

A new case has emerged regarding the Home Guard recruitment in Kanpur. Candidates created an uproar over extortion, alleging that money was being demanded in exchange for clearing the medical examination. The candidates severely beat a man found sitting in a doctor’s car, accusing him of being part of the extortion scheme, and subsequently handed him over to the police. Following an investigation, the police confirmed that the allegations—that money was being collected from candidates both in cash and via online transfers—were true. The police have now taken three individuals, including two doctors, into custody for questioning, while two other suspects remain at large.

Candidates participating in the recruitment process alleged that they were being extorted under the guise of being declared "medically fit." They reported being marked as "unfit" based on claims that they had deviated nasal septums or poor eyesight. Enraged by this, the candidates caused a commotion at the Reserve Police Lines in Kanpur. During the incident, they pulled a man from a doctor’s car and assaulted him.

Demands of ₹15,000 to ₹50,000 from Candidates

On Thursday, medical examinations for the Home Guard recruitment were being conducted at the Kanpur Police Lines ground, with approximately 200 candidates in attendance. A three-member panel of doctors had been appointed to oversee the medical evaluations. Around 8:00 PM, the candidates accused the doctors of malpractice. They alleged that the doctors were declaring them "unfit" by citing issues such as deviated nasal septums or poor vision. Furthermore, the candidates claimed that they were being asked to pay between ₹15,000 and ₹50,000 in exchange for being declared "medically fit."

70 Candidates Declared Unfit

Candidates who created a commotion stated that the doctors on the medical panel initially conducted proper medical examinations for only about 10 to 20 students. Subsequently, around 70 candidates were declared unfit. This process continued until the evening, at which point the frustration of the candidates boiled over, leading them to create a disturbance at the Reserve Police Lines.

Station House Officer Slaps a Candidate

During the incident, the police warned the candidates that if they had paid bribes to be declared medically fit, they should come forward and admit it; otherwise, the police would conduct an investigation, and if the allegations were proven, the students themselves would face action. Meanwhile, as media personnel arrived at the scene, the candidates pointed out a specific car to them. At this juncture, the Kotwali Station House Officer (SHO), Arun Kumar, approached the vehicle and accused the candidates of stealing a bag from it. Following this, the SHO slapped one of the candidates on the charge of stealing the bag.

Medical Examination Cancelled

In the wake of this commotion, Home Guard Commandant Priti Sharma announced that the medical examinations for the Home Guard recruitment have been cancelled. A new date for the candidates will be announced shortly.