The investigation into alleged recruitment fraud in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations has escalated significantly, with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) issuing notices to all 2,204 candidates who cleared the Preliminary Test. The state agency has mandated that all successful candidates submit carbon copies of their official OMR answer sheets for detailed cross-verification against seized master records. The move comes alongside high-level interrogations of former JPSC officials and widespread public demonstrations demanding the complete cancellation of the examination.
CID Mandates OMR Verification for 2,204 Preliminary Exam Candidates
According to the official public notice issued by the CID, all successful candidates from the JPSC Preliminary Test must submit the carbon copies of their Paper I and Paper II OMR sheets between July 30 and August 5. Candidates are instructed to upload clear photographs or digital PDF files of their OMR sheets to designated official email and WhatsApp channels. In instances where candidates no longer hold their physical carbon copies, they are required to submit formal written explanations specifying the reasons for their unavailability along with their roll numbers.
Investigators will conduct forensic cross-examinations matching the candidate submissions against the primary OMR sheets seized directly from the JPSC headquarters. The primary objective is to identify any physical or digital discrepancies, unauthorized markings, or backend manipulation. Candidates whose submitted carbon copies display discrepancies when compared against the commission’s official repository will be summoned for mandatory forensic questioning and formal investigation.
Interrogation of Former JPSC Chairman and Key Officials Continues
Parallel to the candidate OMR audit, the CID has intensified its questioning of senior administrative personnel involved in the examination process. Former JPSC Chairman L. Khyangte underwent nearly eight hours of continuous questioning for a second consecutive day, with investigators directing him to appear for further examination on July 31. During the proceedings, Khyangte was confronted directly with former Deputy Examination Controller Shweta Gupta in a face-to-face session to verify conflicting statements regarding administrative decisions and agency selections.
Officials confirmed that the ongoing interrogations have yielded several key findings that are currently being cross-referenced with seized electronic databases, computer servers, and administrative files. The agency is conducting a comprehensive audit to determine whether backend server logs were altered or physical OMR sheets were replaced during the evaluation phase.
Police Remand Extended as Student Protests Escalate in Ranchi
Following the expiration of an earlier detention period, a local court extended the police remand of five key accused for an additional two days. The extended custody applies to former Deputy Examination Controller Shweta Gupta, TDPL Director Ramveer Singh, Marketing Manager Abhay Tiwari, and employees Mohammad Usman and Mohammad Ebad. Additionally, investigative teams have formally recorded detailed statements from Pradeep Kumar Singh, Hemant Verma, and Sanjay Kumar to map the operational network responsible for the alleged evaluation fraud.
The administrative actions coincide with massive student demonstrations across the state capital. Thousands of civil service aspirants assembled in Ranchi to protest the conduct of both the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination. Demonstrators marched through major thoroughfares before establishing a public gathering at Albert Ekka Chowk, demanding an immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC PT and calling for a centralized probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Authorities maintain that final legal and administrative steps will depend on the conclusions of the comprehensive forensic report.
