CBI Arrests Three Individuals Linked to Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission Recruitment Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained three more individuals in connection with the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scandal. According to lawyer Faisal Rizvi, Sahil Sonwani was apprehended in Darjeeling, West Bengal, while Shashank Goyal and his wife Bhumika Katiyar were taken into custody in New Delhi. Rizvi represents Goyal and Katiyar. The trio was transported to Chhattisgarh on Sunday.

In July 2024, the CBI assumed responsibility for investigating two cases filed in Raipur and Arjunda, Balod district. These cases involved alleged bias in selecting deputy collectors, deputy superintendents of police, and other senior government roles through CGPSC exams conducted between 2020 and 2022. The CGPSC is tasked with recruiting candidates for various state government positions via competitive exams.

Allegations of Corruption

The CBI alleges that Taman Singh Sonwani, who led the CGPSC during Congress rule from 2018 to 2023, accepted a bribe of Rs 45 lakh from Shravan Kumar Goyal. This payment was purportedly made to secure the selection of Goyal's son and daughter-in-law as deputy collectors. Both Sonwani and Goyal were arrested by the CBI in November 2024 and remain incarcerated.

According to the CBI, several individuals were allegedly recruited through corrupt practices. Nitesh Sonwani was selected as a deputy collector, while Sahil Sonwani became a deputy superintendent of police. Sunita Joshi, another relative, secured a position as a labour officer. Nitesh's wife, Nisha Kosale, was also appointed as a deputy collector.

Political Implications

During the 2023 assembly election campaign, top BJP leaders criticised the then-ruling Congress for alleged irregularities in CGPSC recruitments. They pledged to investigate these claims if they came to power. The BJP subsequently won the state assembly elections in December 2023.

Earlier on Saturday, two other individuals were detained: Nitesh Sonwani and former deputy examination controller Lalit Ganweer. Both were placed in CBI custody until January 13. The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Kriti Kujur has remanded Sahil Sonwani, Shashank Goyal, and Bhumika Katiyar in CBI custody until January 13 as well.

Sahil Sonwani is related to retired IAS officer and former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani; he is the son of Taman's elder brother. Shashank Goyal and Bhumika Katiyar are connected to Shravan Kumar Goyal, director of Bajrang Power and Ispat Limited based in Raipur.

The CBI claims that Taman Singh Sonwani collaborated with then-secretary Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, then-controller of examinations, other public servants, and politicians. They allegedly conspired to recruit their relatives and acquaintances for various state government posts through exams and interviews conducted between 2020 and 2022.

This ongoing investigation highlights significant concerns about corruption within the recruitment processes for state government positions in Chhattisgarh. The involvement of high-profile individuals underscores the seriousness of these allegations.