Jharkhand News : The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, has intensified its action against the suspected network involving exam middlemen and coaching institutes.
A special CID team conducted raids in Ranchi and Hazaribagh and collected several documents and digital pieces of evidence during the investigation.
The team raided Shivangan Ki Pathshala in Lalpur, Ranchi, and the Ratu Road residence of its director-operator, Sanjeet Kumar. Documents were also examined at Megha Coaching Centre in Hazaribagh.
Documents and Digital Evidence Seized
According to CID sources, documents and digital evidence allegedly linked to arrangements and financial transactions involving candidates were recovered from the two locations.
The investigating agency suspects that alleged deals may have been made with some candidates through these institutions. The names of the coaching institutes reportedly emerged during questioning of previously arrested agents and selected candidates.
Coaching Operators and Middlemen Under Scanner
The CID investigation has indicated that coaching operators and middlemen may have played an important role in the alleged syndicate involved in arranging the examination.
According to the allegations made during questioning, candidates were allegedly identified through coaching institutions and approached for deals. Attempts were then allegedly made to manipulate the examination process to help them clear the test.
The CID is now verifying candidate data, bank transactions and the alleged roles of Sanjeet Kumar and other coaching operators.
CID Also Probes Alleged OMR Manipulation
The investigation has also revealed allegations that the irregularities were not limited to ordinary cheating but were carried out in an organised manner.
According to CID, some candidates allegedly linked to the arrangement submitted blank OMR sheets. The agency is investigating allegations that these sheets were filled later at the level of the examination conducting agency and the suspected syndicate.
The CID is also probing allegations related to the question paper allegedly reaching coaching institutions after the examination and questions being solved by experts outside the examination process.
22 Arrested, Seven Accused Still Absconding
During the investigation into the JPSC merit scam, the CID had earlier arrested agents allegedly involved in arranging the examination and some candidates. The role of the coaching institutes came under scrutiny based on information obtained during questioning.
The agency has so far arrested 22 people and sent them to jail, while seven named and suspected accused are reportedly absconding.
Those absconding allegedly include people linked to coaching institutes and middlemen accused of facilitating candidates. Raids are being conducted at possible locations to trace them.
JSSC CGL Accused Also Questioned
Meanwhile, the CID’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) continued questioning JSSC CGL examination case accused Abhay Kumar Tiwari, his wife Sushma Kumari and his brother Akshay Tiwari for the second consecutive day.
The three were questioned together regarding people allegedly connected to the commission and middlemen. Investigators also sought details about the amount allegedly collected from candidates, the people to whom the money was allegedly passed and whether the question paper was made available before the examination.
The CID has taken Abhay Kumar Tiwari on five days’ remand, while Sushma Kumari and Akshay Tiwari have been taken on three days’ remand. The remand period of Sushma and Akshay is scheduled to end on Monday.
As the investigation progresses, the CID expects that more names allegedly linked to the suspected examination manipulation network may emerge.
