look news india
As the scope of investigation is increasing in the case of merit scam and rigging in the Civil Services Examination of Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), such layers of corruption are being exposed which have shaken the young candidates of the entire state. In the supplementary charge sheet filed by the special branch of CID in the special court of Ranchi, it has been shockingly revealed that a well-organized brokerage syndicate was working in the name of passing the examination. A confidential ‘setting list’ of 24 candidates was recovered from the laptop of the syndicate’s key pawn and main broker Budheshwar Bhagat even before the results were released. Out of 24 candidates included in this list, 11 also achieved success in PT and merit list. According to the investigating agencies, a huge advance amount of about Rs 1 crore was extorted for passing these 11 candidates and for manipulating their OMR sheets.
#1. Advance recovery of Rs 1 crore from 11 candidates and secret of ‘setting list’ revealed from broker’s laptop
It has become clear from the bank evidence, call detail records (CDR) and digital evidence presented in the court by CID that the script of rigging in this recruitment examination was already written. The list seized from the laptop of the arrested main accused and broker Budheshwar Bhagat, resident of Lohardaga, contained the names and roll numbers of 24 candidates who had made a deal with the brokers to make a place in the merit list. Out of this list of 24 names, 11 candidates were declared passed in the PT examination. According to CID, the syndicate had seized more than Rs 1 crore in cash and their original educational certificates as advance from these 11 candidates and kept them in their custody, so that pressure could be put on the candidates until the entire amount was not received.
#1. From entry of blacklisted companies to manipulation of OMR sheets.
In the chargesheet, the CID has also detailed how blacklisted agencies like ‘Binsys Technology’ and ‘TDPL’ were entrusted with the task of exam evaluation and data processing, flouting rules and regulations. In connivance with the top officials of the Commission, this syndicate took out the OMR sheets of many ineligible candidates from the strong room and got them amended or got the answers filled through external means. This nexus of examination mafia, middlemen, former officials and brokers has completely put the credibility of the Commission in the dock. According to the cases registered in the charge sheet of CID, this entire network is connected not only to the districts of Jharkhand but also to the interstate examination mafia.
#1. Alliance between former officers, middlemen and coaching centres: CID tightens legal noose
So far, chargesheet has been filed against more than 22 accused in this Medha scam, which includes former top officials of JPSC, middlemen, and brokers. The investigation has also revealed that more than half a dozen leading coaching institutes of the state were working as agents in this brokerage syndicate. They used to directly contact the candidates and give 100% guarantee of success and deal worth crores of rupees. The investigating agency has presented before the court strong evidence of middlemen collecting bribes in the name of former officials, arbitrarily increasing marks in interviews and manipulation of mark sheets.
#1. Questions on the future of lakhs of candidates and demand for fair justice
Lakhs of youth of Jharkhand, who work day and night for years and dream of becoming administrative officers, are deeply angry and disappointed after this big revelation. The manner in which meritorious students were usurped and ineligible candidates were passed on the basis of money has left a deep stain on the transparent examination system of the state. Student organizations and aggrieved candidates are now demanding cancellation of the selection of all the 11 passed candidates involved in this entire matter and strictest action against the culprits. At present, the hearing of the case has intensified on the basis of charge sheet in the special court of Ranchi, and the possibility of arrest of many more big faces is being expressed in the coming days.