Ranchi. The role of accused Saurabh Kumar alias Saurabh Pandey has emerged in the CID investigation into alleged manipulation and exam-fixing in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination. According to the investigating agency, Saurabh was not only a relative of prime accused Abhay Kumar Tiwari but also allegedly worked as an agent and key link in the suspected exam-fixing network. The investigation has also indicated that a house rented in Ranchi for ₹50,000 a month was allegedly used as a base for operating the network. The agency claims that activities involving promises of selection, collection of money and alleged manipulation of confidential examination documents were coordinated from the premises.
According to the CID report, Saurabh entered into an 11-month rent agreement with the house owner on January 6, 2026. He reportedly identified himself as an employee of TDPL in the agreement. The upper floor of the house was rented for ₹50,000 per month. The investigating agency said several employees linked to TDPL and other outside associates were subsequently found to have stayed at the flat. The investigation has indicated that Ranveer Singh, Satyapal Singh, P.K. Singh, Hemant, Sanjay, Usman and Ebad were among those who stayed there.
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The investigation is also focusing on the alleged operating mechanism of the exam-fixing network. The CID suspects that candidates were promised help in securing selection in exchange for large sums of money. Investigators have also found allegations that some candidates were asked to hand over blank cheques, sign blank stamp papers and submit their original educational certificates. The agency is now tracing how these documents and funds were allegedly used within the suspected network.
According to the investigating agency, more than 24 candidates were allegedly brought into the network after being promised selection in the examination scheduled for April 2026. Of these, around ₹1.20 crore was allegedly collected from 11 candidates in the name of securing their selection. The investigation has also found that original educational certificates were allegedly retained from some candidates. When some candidates later suspected that they had been cheated and sought the return of their certificates, Saurabh allegedly arranged for them to be retrieved through a person identified as Umesh Kumar.
The CID is now examining how far the alleged manipulation extended into the examination process. The investigation has raised suspicion of possible tampering ranging from OMR sheets to servers. However, the allegations will require confirmation after the investigation is completed. The agency is examining documents, digital records, mobile phones and other technical evidence to determine at what stage of the examination process the alleged manipulation was attempted and who may have been involved.
The rented premises in Ranchi have assumed significance in the investigation because several people allegedly linked to the network were staying there at the same time. The CID is examining the rent agreement, the identities of people who stayed at the property, their mobile numbers and their communication links. Investigators are also examining bank transactions associated with the candidates to determine where the money was transferred and how it was subsequently used or distributed.
The CID is continuing efforts to arrest Saurabh Kumar. The investigating officer has obtained an arrest warrant against him from the court. According to the agency, Saurabh has allegedly been changing locations to evade arrest. Investigators believe that his arrest could provide further information about the suspected exam-fixing network, the method allegedly used to collect money from candidates and the possible involvement of people connected with the examination process.
Meanwhile, the CID investigation into the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) CGL examination case is also continuing. The agency questioned two successful candidates, Kundan Kumar and Sameer Kumar, who have been arrested in the case. Both were taken into remand for questioning. According to the investigation, the two allegedly admitted that they had gone to Bokaro, where they memorised questions and answers before the examination. The agency also alleges that they acted as agents and connected several candidates with a suspected syndicate that allegedly provided examination question papers.
The CID has also been questioning Sanjay Kumar, a food inspector posted in Jamshedpur, for the third consecutive day. Evidence collected against him is being verified. The agency is examining the roles of the accused, their links, financial transactions and available digital evidence in both examination-related cases as the investigation progresses.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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