CBI Submits Charge Sheet in JPSC Merit Scam; HC Orders Record Update
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Synopsis
The Jharkhand High Court has ordered the inclusion of the CBI's charge sheet in the JPSC merit scam involving civil service appointments. The charge sheets name multiple accused, including former officials, following a lengthy investigation initiated by a PIL. Next hearing scheduled for February 5.
Key Takeaways
- The Jharkhand High Court mandates CBI charge sheet inclusion in court records.
- The charge sheet names several high-profile accused, including former JPSC officials.
- The investigation was initiated in response to a Public Interest Litigation in 2012.
- Next court hearing set for February 5.
- Serious implications for public service recruitment accountability.
Ranchi, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Jharkhand High Court has mandated the inclusion of the charge sheet submitted by the CBI in the merit scam associated with the JPSC (Jharkhand Public Service Commission) civil service appointments for the first and second batches in the court records.
After a lengthy 12-year investigation, the CBI submitted distinct charge sheets for both cases to the designated CBI court.
The initial charge sheet charges 37 individuals, including Dr Dilip Prasad, the former JPSC chairman, while the subsequent charge sheet lists 70 accused individuals. Notably, some individuals appear in both documents.
The investigation commenced in 2012 following a directive from the High Court, prompted by a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) lodged by Budhdev Oraon. The PIL accused the JPSC of extensive irregularities in the examinations for the first and second batches. The High Court reviewed the matter again on Wednesday.
The CBI apprised the court of the charge sheet submission while requesting extra time to furnish a comprehensive status report.
The next hearing is set for February 5, with the court instructing the agency to ensure the charge sheet is recorded in court documents.
The PIL asserted that 62 candidates were selected in the first batch and 172 in the second batch through improper methods. Consequently, the High Court ordered a CBI inquiry and prohibited appointments.
Subsequently, appeals were made to the Supreme Court, where affected candidates received relief. Nonetheless, the apex court upheld the High Court's directive for a CBI investigation.
The charge sheet for the first batch, submitted in May 2024, names 37 individuals, including Dr Dilip Prasad (then JPSC Chairman), Gopal Prasad (Senior Member), Radha Govind Nagesh (Member), Shanti Devi (Member), and Alice Usha Rani Singh (Controller of Examinations).
Other accused persons include senior officials and candidates like Seema Singh (Additional Collector), Sushma Neelam Soren, Kunwar Singh Pahan, Jyoti Kumari Jha, Alka Kumari, Mohanlal Marandi, Ram Narayan Singh, Sudarshan Murmu, James Surin, Jitendra Munda, and Poonam Kachhap, among others.
In the second batch merit scam, 70 individuals, including Dr Dilip Prasad, are also named as accused.
The High Court’s instruction to incorporate the charge sheet in court records emphasizes the seriousness of the allegations and the necessity for accountability in public service recruitment processes.
