Pioneer News Service
RANCHI
The CID investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations witnessed significant developments on Monday, with multiple searches, an arrest and further questioning of key officials.
In the JPSC recruitment irregularities case, the CID arrested Vraj Kumar Ram, the personal assistant (PA) of former JPSC member Ajita Bhattacharya. He is accused of allegedly collecting money from candidates in exchange for helping them secure government jobs.
Meanwhile, former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte was sent to judicial custody after completing a three-day CID remand. Khiangte was arrested by the CID on August 10 and was subsequently taken on remand for questioning. After the remand period ended, he was produced before the court and sent to jail.
In a separate development, the CID conducted searches at the residence of JSSC secretary Sudhir Gupta and the commission’s office in Namkum in connection with alleged irregularities and paper leak in the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination According to officials, a CID team reached Gupta’s residence on Harihar Singh Road in Morabadi at around 5 am on Monday. The search continued for several hours, during which a number of important documents were seized.
The team subsequently reached the JSSC headquarters in Namkum and conducted another search. Examination-related records and other documents were examined as part of the investigation.
The CID later summoned JSSC secretary Sudhir Gupta to Namkum police station, where he was questioned. Investigators also examined documents and records related to the functioning of the commission and the conduct of the examination.
The 2023-24 JSSC CGL examination has been under scrutiny over allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities. During the investigation into the alleged JPSC merit scam, some of the accused arrested by the CID reportedly made disclosures regarding alleged paper leaks and financial transactions linked to the JSSC CGL examination.
Investigators are looking into allegations that certain candidates were provided questions and answers before the examination and that large sums of money were allegedly collected from several candidates.
The latest actions indicate that the CID is widening its investigation into alleged irregularities in both the JPSC and JSSC recruitment processes. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation and questioning continue.
