Ahmedabad | A routine review of departmental promotion exams has exposed what investigators believe is a major examination scam in Western Railway. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered four separate FIRs, naming 10 railway officials, over allegations that results of computer-based promotional tests were digitally manipulated after the exams concluded.
According to the CBI, a group of senior officials, IT staff and clerks allegedly accessed the system remotely and inflated marks for selected candidates. Investigators say they found traces of remote-access tools, gaps in the digital audit trail, and unusual financial transactions coinciding with exam periods.
Triggered by scrutiny of Shunting Master exam
The trail began with vigilance scrutiny of the Shunting Master exam conducted in August 2024. Out of 178 candidates, the scores of six employees Bablu Kumar, Chunchun Kumar, Jitendra Makwana, Sandeep Singh, Shailendra Yadav and Vipul Kumar appeared suspiciously high.
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Investigators later discovered that each of them had taken loans shortly before the exam from the Jackson Credit Cooperative Society, which issues loans exclusively to railway employees. When authorities reviewed other exams held during 2023–24, a similar pattern began to emerge.
Software rules allegedly bypassed
Following approval from the Railway Ministry, the CBI formally registered the four FIRs on December 30. Among those named is former Senior Divisional Personnel Officer Jitesh Agrawal, who supervised multiple examinations.
Forensic checks reportedly revealed that exam sessions were left open for two days after completion instead of being sealed immediately, as mandated. During this window, tools such as “Anydesk” were installed and internet connectivity remained active, despite rules requiring complete isolation of the server.
Crucially, login records for the period immediately after the exams were missing. The FIR also mentions that the exam software had links to K.P. Manoj Narayanan, former Chief Office Superintendent (IT), who earlier worked under Agrawal.
Network of logins and money collection
Another accused, Navroz Kuraeni (Database Assistant), is alleged to have created login IDs for candidates, paper setters and officials effectively giving access to sensitive credentials.
Meanwhile, Mahendra Kumar Shirshat (Senior Clerk) is accused of collecting money from candidates and “fixing deals.” Investigators say significant and unexplained credits were detected in the bank accounts of Shirshat and Agrawal.
According to the CBI, loans taken from the Jackson Cooperative Society functioned as a structured bribery mechanism with repayments effectively channeling funds to those allegedly manipulating results.
What lies ahead
The CBI is now deepening its probe using digital forensics, banking trails and call-detail records to map the full network. The role of unidentified public servants and private intermediaries is also under scrutiny.
Experts caution that the episode highlights systemic vulnerabilities in digital examination security where a few unauthorized clicks can potentially alter an entire career trajectory. The next steps could include charge sheets, departmental suspensions and disciplinary proceedings depending on how the investigation progresses.
