SC issues notices over alleged irregularities in JPSC, JSSC-CGL exams

Plea filed by a social worker who has sought an independent CBI investigation

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Jharkhand government, Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), Jharkhand CID Director General, Centre and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition seeking a CBI probe and time-bound investigation into alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana directed all the respondents to file their responses within four weeks on the issues raised in the petition.

The plea was filed by social worker Harisharan Devgan, who has sought an independent CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities. Senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, appearing for the petitioner, told the court that students had been protesting against the alleged examination irregularities for more than a month.

He submitted that the state government had decided to cancel the examination, but the Jharkhand High Court subsequently stayed the decision. The petitioner alleged that the state government was indirectly supporting those challenging the cancellation.

Plea seeks independent probe into alleged lapses: The petitioner’s counsel urged the Supreme Court to hand over the investigation to the CBI or have it conducted under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge.

Chief Justice Surya Kant, however, observed that an investigation could not be entrusted to a former judge. During the hearing, the CJI also sought clarification on whether recruitment examinations for the judicial services were conducted by the state Public Service Commission. The petitioner’s counsel replied in the affirmative.

The petition, filed through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, contends that an independent agency is necessary for a fair investigation into the alleged role of public officials and examination agencies.

It further argues that the state government’s decision to cancel the examination does not negate the need to investigate the alleged irregularities and corruption. The petitioner has sought identification of those responsible and fixing of accountability.

Petitioner flags risk of evidence being tampered with: The plea has also sought directions for preserving all physical and digital evidence related to the examinations, including original OMR sheets, carbon copies available with candidates, CCTV footage from examination centres and server records.

The petitioner has argued that preservation of the evidence is crucial to ensure that it is neither tampered with nor destroyed during the course of the investigation.

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