Why has the Jharkhand HC Extended the Stay on the CGL Exam Results?

Synopsis
The Jharkhand High Court has once again extended the stay on the CGL exam results amid ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities. As the CID finds no evidence of a paper leak, the court has scheduled the next hearing for June 18. What does this mean for the candidates awaiting their results?
Key Takeaways
- Jharkhand HC extends stay on CGL results.
- CID finds no evidence of a paper leak.
- Next hearing scheduled for June 18.
- Over 300,000 candidates took the exam.
- Charge sheet filed against three individuals.
Ranchi, May 7 (NationPress) The Jharkhand High Court has once again prolonged the stay on the release of the results for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission in 2024.
This decision was reached during a session regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that called for a CBI investigation into supposed irregularities surrounding the examination.
A division bench led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao reviewed the case, during which the state government, represented by Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, informed the court that the CID is actively looking into the claims.
Ranjan stated that no substantial evidence of a paper leak has been discovered thus far, and the investigation is anticipated to conclude within a month.
Furthermore, the government clarified that a charge sheet has been submitted against three individuals accused of soliciting funds from candidates under false pretenses of providing leaked examination papers.
The court has instructed the state to present an updated investigation report at the next hearing.
In the meantime, the petitioners requested more time to present their case. After considering both parties, the court opted to maintain the stay on the examination results and scheduled the next hearing for June 18.
Conducted on September 21 and 22, 2024, the CGL examination was administered at 823 centers across Jharkhand to fill more than 2,000 government positions.
Approximately 3,04,769 candidates took part in the examination. Following the test, the Commission had shortlisted 2,145 candidates on December 5, 2024.
After allegations of a paper leak, Rajesh Kumar and others submitted a PIL in the High Court requesting a CBI inquiry.
In response to the petition, the court had, on December 17, 2024, placed an interim stay on the results and directed the state to file an FIR under the Jharkhand Examination Conduct Act, 2023, and provide a report after investigation.
Since that time, the CID has been conducting inquiries based on the FIR. During Wednesday's hearing, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan appeared on behalf of the state, Advocate Sanjoy Piperwal represented JSSC, and senior advocate Ajit Kumar advocated for the petitioners.