Haveri candidate arrested for cheating in VAO exam using Google Lens

Shankar Bannur, a candidate from Hanagal in Haveri district, has been arrested for cheating during the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) recruitment examination conducted by the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA).

Bannur, who secured the state's top rank with 151.25 marks out of 200, was caught after a CCTV investigation revealed he used a mobile phone to scan question papers using the Google Lens app to find answers. The discrepancy in his performance triggered suspicion on social media, as he had scored only 25 out of 100 in a KSRP constable exam just 20 days prior.

Following orders from the KEA, the Deputy Commissioner of Haveri conducted an inquiry. CCTV footage from the Shiggaon examination center showed Bannur entering the room with a mobile phone after only an Aadhaar card was checked. He reportedly admitted to the illegal act during police interrogation. He has been handed over to the Shiggaon police for further investigation.