In one of its strongest observations yet on examination-related corruption, the Bilaspur High Court has said that leaking question papers is a crime more serious than murder, as it destroys the future of lakhs of hardworking youths and strikes at the very foundation of merit and fairness in public recruitment.
Hearing the high-profile Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scam, the court remarked that those entrusted with safeguarding the sanctity of examinations themselves breached confidentiality, a situation aptly described by the proverb “the fence itself is eating the crop”.
A single bench of Justice Vibhu Datt Guru rejected the second bail applications of former CGPSC chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, examination controller Aarti Vasanik and deputy examination controller Lalit Ganveer, all of whom are currently lodged in jail. The court held that given the gravity of the allegations and their wider social impact, no grounds for bail were made out.
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The case pertains to recruitment examinations conducted by CGPSC between 2020 and 2022. Investigating agencies allege that question papers were leaked in advance and selectively supplied to candidates with political and administrative connections, including close relatives of influential figures, to ensure their selection. The controversy erupted after the final merit lists revealed the names of several relatives of senior officials and politicians, triggering allegations of large-scale manipulation.
Following complaints, a preliminary FIR was registered in Balod district by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). As demands grew for an independent probe, the matter reached the High Court. During earlier hearings, the state government informed the court that the investigation had been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
After completing its probe, the CBI registered cases against Sonwani and other accused and carried out arrests. The accused had earlier failed to secure bail in their first attempt and had approached the court again seeking relief.
‘Playing with the future of lakhs of youths’
While rejecting the bail pleas, the High Court made scathing remarks on the nature of the offence. It said that question paper leaks are not merely criminal acts but a betrayal of the aspirations of lakhs of young candidates who prepare for competitive examinations with years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice.
The court observed that while a murder affects one family, examination fraud on this scale ruins the careers of countless youths and undermines public trust in state institutions. Such crimes, it said, have far-reaching consequences for society and the governance system as a whole.
The bench underlined that the purity and fairness of competitive examinations form the backbone of a democratic system, ensuring equal opportunity based on merit. When those responsible for protecting that system are themselves involved in corrupt practices, the damage is deep and long-lasting.
Why bail was denied
In its order, the High Court noted that the allegations against the accused are extremely serious and supported by material collected during investigation. The court said the accused misused their official positions and breached the confidentiality of the examination process, eroding its credibility.
Considering the gravity of the offence, the role attributed to the accused and the potential impact on public confidence, the court ruled that granting bail would not be in the interest of justice.
The bench also indicated that strict judicial scrutiny is necessary in such cases to send a clear message that tampering with recruitment processes will not be tolerated.
The order is being seen as a significant moment in the ongoing CGPSC case, both legally and socially. For thousands of aspirants who have repeatedly raised concerns over fairness in recruitment examinations, the ruling has come as a reassurance that accountability will be enforced.
For now, all three accused will remain in judicial custody. The High Court will continue to closely monitor developments in the case as the CBI places further evidence on record in the course of upcoming hearings.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
