CGPSC Recruitment Scam: Chhattisgarh Police Registers Case Against Former Officers, Politicians

The Chhattisgarh Polices Economic Offence Wing (EOW) has registered a case in connection with alleged irregularities in the state Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment examination during the previous Congress government. The EOW lodged the case under various IPC sections and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998.

Raipur, February 7: The Chhattisgarh Police's Economic Offence Wing (EOW) has registered a case in connection with alleged irregularities in the state Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment examination conducted during the previous Congress government's tenure. The development comes after the state government decided last month to seek a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the matter.

FIR Against Former Officers and Politicians

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai took to his social media platform to announce the registration of an FIR against former officers and politicians involved in the alleged CGPSC scam. He assured those affected by the irregularities that the culprits would be brought to justice.

Case Details

The EOW registered the case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1998. The action was taken based on information provided by the state's Home Department.

Allegations of Irregularities

The Home Department had received complaints from former BJP MLA Nankiram Kanwar and others alleging irregularities and corruption in the CGPSC examination-2021, which was conducted to fill 170 posts. The state government subsequently decided to seek a CBI probe into the matter.

Misuse of Positions and Political Influence

According to the letter from the Home Department, there was prima facie evidence suggesting that the then-chairman of CGPSC, Taman Singh Sonwani, the then-secretary, Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, the then-examination controller of CGPSC, and other public servants and politicians misused their positions and political influence to manipulate the selection process.

Selection of Relatives Over Eligible Candidates

The investigation revealed that the accused individuals manipulated the recruitment process in 2020 and 2021, including the Assistant Professor selection exam 2021, to select their sons, daughters, and relatives instead of eligible candidates.

Backdoor Entries of Politicians' Kin

The registration of the case comes amid allegations that entries of kin of high-profile politicians were also made through backdoor channels in the PSC recruitment process. These allegations had been raised during the November Assembly polls, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other top BJP leaders promising to investigate the matter if the saffron party came to power.

Legal Challenges

Former BJP MLA Nakiram Kawnar had filed a petition in the Chhattisgarh High Court last year, seeking a fair and impartial investigation into the CGPSC exam 2021 by an independent agency, preferably the CBI. The High Court had directed the state government to verify the allegations made in the petition, which claimed that 18 candidates selected in the examination were relatives of commission officer bearers, high-ranking government officials, politicians, and big businessmen.

Examination Details

In 2021, the CGPSC advertised a total of 171 posts for 20 categories of services. The preliminary examination was held on February 13, 2022, followed by the mains examination from May 26 to 29, 2022. The results were declared, and 509 candidates were selected for the interview round, which took place from September 20 to 30, 2022. The list of selected candidates for the 170 posts was issued on May 11, 2023.

Allegations of Corruption and Favouritism

The petition filed in the High Court claimed that the results of the CGPSC Exam 2021 indicated that relatives of CGPSC officer bearers and influential politicians, bureaucrats, and industrialists were selected through corruption and favouritism.

The registration of a case by the EOW marks a significant development in addressing the allegations of irregularities in the CGPSC recruitment process. The investigation is expected to shed light on the extent of the irregularities and bring those responsible to justice. The state government's decision to seek a CBI probe into the matter demonstrates its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public service recruitment.