JPSC Merit Scam: Candidates allegedly paid ₹10 lakh each to secure success in the examination; CID likely to summon nine candidates
Ranchi: The CID, which is probing the JPSC merit scam, has received crucial information during the interrogation of middleman Budheshwar Bhagat. According to the investigation, Budheshwar disclosed that he had collected ₹10 lakh each from 11 candidates on the assurance of helping them clear the JPSC examination, amounting to a total of ₹1.10 crore.
The candidates named during the interrogation include Kapil Kumar Mahto, Santosh Kumar, Vandana Kumari, Dilip Kumar Rana, Omprakash Rana, Shivam Singh, Pawan Kumar Munda, Raki Sachin Lakra, Roshan Kerketta and Umakant Oraon, among others. Roshan Kerketta and Umakant Oraon have already been arrested, and the CID has recorded their statements. The remaining nine candidates are likely to be summoned soon for questioning.
Budheshwar Was Working on Contract with National Health Mission
Budheshwar Bhagat, a resident of Lohardaga, was working on a contractual basis with the National Health Mission at Namkum in Ranchi. During this period, he came in contact with Abhay Kumar Tiwari alias Manoj Kumar Tiwari, who was working as the marketing manager of M/s TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), the agency involved in conducting the JPSC examination.
According to the investigation, Abhay Kumar Tiwari allegedly took money from candidates by promising to facilitate their success in the examination. The money was subsequently distributed among officials, members and agents allegedly linked to the network. The CID has already conducted detailed interrogation of Budheshwar following his arrest. He is currently in judicial custody.
More Than Half a Dozen Coaching Operators Under Scanner
The CID investigation has also indicated the alleged involvement of more than half a dozen coaching institutes in Jharkhand in a network that purportedly arranged the selection of candidates in JPSC and JSSC examinations. These institutes and their operators allegedly acted as intermediaries, collecting predetermined amounts from candidates in exchange for assurances of success.
The CID has gathered information about several such coaching institutes and their operators, and action is underway. Investigators are also examining the possibility of further arrests of coaching operators as the probe progresses.
Raids Conducted in Ranchi and Hazaribagh
A day earlier, the CID conducted searches at coaching-related premises in Ranchi and Hazaribagh. The team raided Shivangan Ki Pathshala in Lalpur, the residence of its director Sanjeet Kumar at Ratu Road, and Megha Coaching Centre in Hazaribagh.
A large number of documents and other materials were reportedly recovered during the searches. The CID is examining the seized material, and further legal action against the concerned coaching institutes and individuals is likely based on the findings of the investigation.
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