STF Also Nabs Nandu Gang OperativeLucknow: Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested two wanted accused in separate high-profile cases from Lucknow’s Vibhuti Khand area on Wednesday evening.The arrested men include an alleged operative of the London-based Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu gang and a key accused who had been absconding in the 2024 RO/ARO recruitment examination paper-leak case. The accused were identified as Anurag Mishra, a resident of Prayagraj, and Pushkar Pandey, also from Prayagraj. They were arrested near RTI Bhawan in Vibhuti Khand area of Lucknow.The STF recovered a Fortuner SUV, three smartphones comprising a Samsung Fold and two iPhones, Rs 2,500 in cash and a driving licence from them.Additional SP, STF, Lal Pratap Singh, said that Pandey was wanted in the RO/ARO recruitment examination paper-leak case registered at Civil Lines police station, Prayagraj, under FIR No. 74/2024. He faces charges of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and violations of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Act and Information Technology Act.Pandey disclosed during interrogation that his maternal cousin Rajeev Nayan Mishra was involved in leaking recruitment examination papers. After returning to Bhopal in 2022, Pandey allegedly joined the network and became involved in arranging candidates and facilitating distribution of answers. The STF said around 30 to 40 candidates were brought to the basement of Arogyam Hospital in Naini, Prayagraj, on Feb 10, 2024. The leaked RO/ARO question paper was allegedly sourced from a printing press in Bhopal and answers were later provided to the candidates. Pandey reportedly admitted receiving Rs 3 lakh out of a promised Rs 5 lakh for his role.STF said Pandey also revealed his involvement in the Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment examination paper-leak case. He allegedly helped transport candidates to a resort in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, where they were given access to the leaked paper and answers before the examination. The accused is alleged to have received Rs 2.5 lakh for coordinating transportation of candidates. The police recruitment exam was subsequently cancelled after the leak surfaced.STF officials said Pandey was wanted in more than half-a-dozen cases across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. After arrests began in the paper-leak network, he allegedly destroyed his mobile phone and went underground. So far, 32 accused have been arrested in the Prayagraj RO/ARO paper-leak investigation.The second accused Anurag Mishra was wanted in connection with the April 2025 murder of Delhi property dealer Raj Kumar Dalal. According to investigators, the conspiracy was allegedly orchestrated by London-based gangster Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu.The STF alleged that Anurag and his brother Akash Mishra played a crucial role in the conspiracy by arranging shelter, weapons and funds for the shooters and helping them evade arrest. Akash is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.Following Anurag’s arrest, STF contacted Delhi Police, which confirmed he was wanted in FIR No. 167/2025. A non-bailable warrant had also been issued against him by a Tis Hazari court. He was later handed over to Delhi Police.The STF is now probing the wider organised crime and examination-racket networks, including financial transactions and the roles of other associates linked to both cases.
