Jharkhand exam row deepens as CID probes alleged cash-for-jobs and interview score manipulation

The Jharkhand recruitment examination controversy has widened significantly, with the arrest of former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Chairman L Khiangte adding to a growing list of officials, private agency executives, intermediaries and candidates under investigation.

The Jharkhand CID arrested Khiangte on Aug 10 in connection with alleged irregularities in the commission's 14th Civil Services Examination. His arrest brought the total number of accused arrested in the broader case to 20, according to the investigation details.

Khiangte, a former Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, had resigned as JPSC chairman on July 22, saying his resignation would help ensure a fair and impartial investigation into the allegations.

At the center of the investigation is the appointment of Noida-based TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL) to conduct the examination. Investigators are examining how the company obtained the contract despite reportedly being blacklisted and de-listed by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) on May 20, 2025.

The agency is also probing allegations that the examination work was assigned to TDPL on a nomination basis rather than through an open tender. Shweta Kumari Gupta, who served as JPSC Deputy Controller of Examinations, reportedly told investigators that the contract was awarded without a tender process.

Gupta has also been arrested. Investigators are examining whether procurement rules and transparency requirements were bypassed while selecting the private agency.

TDPL directors Satyapal Singh and Rambir Singh are also among those arrested. The CID has sealed the company's offices in Ranchi and Lucknow and is examining documents and electronic devices recovered from the premises.

Abhay Kumar Tiwari, who has emerged as a key figure in the investigation, is also under scrutiny. Tiwari, a government employee posted as a Block Supply Officer in Godda district, reportedly worked as a marketing manager with TDPL.

Investigators are examining how Tiwari was able to maintain links with the examination-conducting agency while holding a government position. His record of clearing multiple competitive examinations has also drawn attention.

According to the investigation details, Tiwari cleared 12 government recruitment examinations over 13 years, including examinations for Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forest Range Officer, PGT Teacher, Police Sub-Inspector and other state and central government posts.

The CID suspects that Tiwari may have used his experience and network among examination aspirants to facilitate alleged recruitment-related financial deals. Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of relatives and associates.

The probe has expanded beyond alleged irregularities in examination papers to suspected manipulation of interview scores. According to sources cited in the investigation, Tiwari told investigators that the interview marks of seven candidates were allegedly increased in exchange for money in the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations.

He reportedly told the CID that candidates seeking Forest Range Officer and Assistant Conservator of Forests positions paid large sums for favorable outcomes. Around ₹5.8 crore was allegedly collected from 20 candidates, according to the investigation details.

The alleged price for an FRO post ranged from ₹20 lakh to ₹25 lakh, while candidates seeking ACF positions allegedly paid between ₹30 lakh and ₹35 lakh. Tiwari also reportedly admitted to collecting ₹10 lakh from candidates in connection with the Child Development Project Officer examination.

Investigators are examining the role of intermediaries who allegedly connected candidates with people capable of influencing the selection process.

Sources said Aditya Pandey of Namkum allegedly contacted Khiangte, JPSC members Ajita Bhattacharya and Jamal Ahmed, Bhattacharya's PA Brajram, former member Anima Hansda and TDPL director Ramveer Singh in connection with alleged attempts to increase interview marks.

The CID is also examining Tiwari's alleged links with candidates who cleared examinations through an intermediary identified as Lalu.

Former JPSC member Dr Anima Hansda is scheduled to face CID questioning, while Ajita Bhattacharya has already been questioned as investigators seek to establish how the alleged interview-score manipulation was carried out.

The financial trail is another major focus of the investigation. The government has agreed to an Enforcement Directorate probe into alleged financial transactions linked to JPSC examinations. While the CID is investigating alleged paper leaks and criminal conspiracy, the ED is expected to examine the suspected money trail.

Investigators have also alleged that Tiwari paid a substantial advance to the then JPSC chairman and agreed to provide a 20% commission from earnings generated through the arrangement. The allegation remains part of the ongoing investigation.

The JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination has also come under scrutiny. Investigation reports allege that around ₹12 lakh was collected from about 15 candidates in Bokaro in exchange for examination questions and answers before the test. The alleged transactions would amount to around ₹1.8 crore.

It has further been alleged that approximately 65 questions and their answers were supplied to some candidates before the examination. These claims have not been established in court.

Tiwari's own selection in the JSSC-CGL examination has also raised questions. Reports indicate that he secured 48th rank, while his brother Akshay Tiwari and sister-in-law Sushma Kumari were also selected in the examination. Students have consequently demanded a broader inquiry into the recruitment process.

The controversy has fueled protests by students in Ranchi, with protesters seeking cancellation and re-conduct of the JSSC-CGL examination and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.

The government, however, has not supported cancellation of the CGL examination so far. It has argued that the examination was conducted under judicial supervision and that many successful candidates are already employed, making cancellation legally complicated.

Separately, investigators are pursuing an older JSSC Junior Engineer examination paper leak case dating back to July 2022.

Police recently arrested Ranjit Mandal in Mumbai's Amboli area on August 7 under a court-issued warrant. He was subsequently brought to Jharkhand on transit remand.

Mandal is accused of being connected to the circulation of questions and answers on WhatsApp several hours before the JSSC Junior Electrical Engineer examination scheduled for July 3, 2022.

The police investigation reportedly traced the WhatsApp number allegedly used to circulate the material to a Paytm Payments Bank account registered in Mandal's name.

Authorities are now examining his alleged role and whether other individuals were involved in obtaining and distributing the examination material.

In another development in the same recruitment-related landscape, Ranchi Police arrested Arun Sharma in Mumbai in connection with the alleged JSSC Junior Engineer paper leak.

Sharma is identified as the operator and director of Binsys, the agency involved in conducting the examination and managing its data. The CID may seek his remand and could take over the case registered at Namkum police station.

The investigation has also drawn attention to the resignations of three sitting JPSC members, Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmed.

With multiple investigations now examining alleged paper leaks, recruitment manipulation, contract irregularities and financial transactions, the controversy has expanded beyond individual examinations.

The CID is continuing to establish the roles of officials, private agency personnel, intermediaries and candidates, while further arrests and legal action remain possible based on the evidence collected.