Jharkhand’s Criminal Investigation Department has arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission chairperson L Khiangte over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, escalating an investigation that has already led to a series of arrests and intensified protests by government job aspirants.
Khiangte, a retired 1988-batch IAS officer and former Jharkhand chief secretary, was taken into custody on Monday after several rounds of questioning. Investigators had questioned him four times since late July, examining decisions taken during his tenure at the commission and comparing his statements with evidence gathered from other accused persons. He had resigned as JPSC chairperson on July 22, saying he wanted to facilitate a free and fair investigation.
The investigation centres on alleged irregularities surrounding the 14th Combined Civil Services Examination and the selection of TSR Data Processing Limited, or TDPL, for examination-related work. Investigators are examining how the company was engaged despite questions over its eligibility and previous blacklisting. The probe is also looking at whether established procedures were bypassed when the contract was awarded.
CID investigators have alleged that the examination contract involved financial wrongdoing. Abhay Tiwari, one of the key accused already in custody, is alleged to have told investigators that about Rs 2 crore was paid in connection with securing the contract and that Khiangte received a commission linked to its value. These remain allegations under investigation and have not been established by a court.
Khiangte underwent more than 30 hours of questioning spread across four interrogation sessions before his arrest. Investigators have searched premises connected with the case, seized documents and electronic material, and examined records relating to the process through which TDPL received examination work. The company’s offices in Ranchi and Lucknow have also come under scrutiny.
The widening inquiry follows complaints surrounding the preliminary examination for 103 civil service vacancies. JPSC shortlisted 2,204 candidates for the Main examination, but aspirants questioned the absence of category-wise cut-off marks and raised objections about the published merit list. Candidates also alleged that the list lacked signatures of constitutional members of the commission.
Controversy deepened after images said to be copies of candidates’ OMR sheets circulated online. Some appeared to show candidates qualifying despite allegedly attempting far fewer questions than would ordinarily be required to reach the expected qualifying score. The authenticity of those sheets has not been independently established, but the claims fuelled demonstrations and prompted the state government to order a CID investigation through a special investigation team.
The investigation has expanded well beyond the former chairperson. JPSC officials, employees and people connected with the private examination agency have been arrested. Those detained have included a deputy examination controller and TDPL personnel. Three serving commission members — Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad — resigned as investigative pressure mounted, with their resignations subsequently accepted by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
The case has unfolded alongside sustained demonstrations by JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission aspirants demanding cancellation of disputed examinations, an independent investigation and extensive changes to recruitment procedures. Thousands of protesters marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday, leading to clashes with police, who used water cannon, tear gas and batons after demonstrators crossed barricades.
The Hemant Soren government has agreed to cancel disputed JPSC examinations and plans to establish a fast-track court for cases linked to examination irregularities. It has also said charge sheets should be filed within 90 days and proposed an expert panel drawn from institutions including IITs, IIMs and XLRI to recommend structural changes to the recruitment system. The government has additionally decided to recommend an Enforcement Directorate investigation into suspected financial irregularities.
