Babulal Marandi questions changing government affidavits in JSSC-CGL case, seeks CBI probe
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, September 19: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned the state government’s changing affidavits before the…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, September 19: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned the state government’s changing affidavits before the High Court in the JSSC-CGL recruitment irregularities case, asking why the complete facts were not placed before the court at the outset and why accountability should be limited to officials at the lower level.
Marandi, in a post on X, said the government’s latest affidavit filed before the Jharkhand High Court described the entire JSSC-CGL examination process as compromised. He questioned the discrepancy between the government’s earlier submissions and its latest stand and demanded an independent CBI investigation into the entire matter.
Marandi questioned the roles and accountability of Sudhir Gupta, Anurag Gupta, Prashant Kumar and Manoj Kaushik, asking why their roles should not be examined if the entire examination process was allegedly compromised.
He also questioned why the complete facts were not presented before the High Court initially and whether the earlier affidavit had omitted relevant information. These are allegations and questions raised by Marandi, rather than findings established by the court.
The latest developments come after the state government filed its counter-affidavit before the High Court on September 18, defending its decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL recruitment process on the ground that the examination had been vitiated by alleged irregularities. The government said it had become difficult to distinguish between candidates who had genuinely succeeded and those who may have benefited from malpractice.
Marandi raises questions over CID investigation
Marandi also questioned the earlier CID investigation, asking why the alleged irregularities did not emerge during the initial probe if the entire examination process had been compromised.
He alleged that there was a possibility of selective disclosure of facts to protect influential persons and questioned the impartiality of the investigation. He called for an independent probe into the entire recruitment episode.
The High Court has meanwhile appointed retired High Court judge Gautam Kumar Choudhary to monitor the investigation and hear complaints of alleged harassment arising during the ongoing probe. The court has also continued its interim protection against cancellation of appointments while allowing petitioners time to file their responses to the government’s affidavit.
Questions Chief Minister’s accountability
Marandi also raised questions concerning the accountability of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, asking whether alleged irregularities on such a scale could have occurred without the knowledge or consent of those at the top of the administration.
He questioned whether the alleged recruitment irregularities could have been carried out solely by the lower-level persons arrested so far and asked what role the senior functionaries responsible for the recruitment system played.
These remarks are part of Marandi’s political allegations; there has been no judicial finding establishing the Chief Minister’s involvement in the alleged recruitment irregularities.
Demands removal of officials, CBI inquiry
Marandi reiterated his demand for a CBI probe into the entire matter, arguing that an independent investigation was necessary in view of the concerns surrounding the recruitment process and the impact on lakhs of students.
He also demanded the removal of Prashant Kumar and Sudhir Gupta from the JSSC and Manoj Kaushik from the post of ADG, CID. He called for an independent examination of the roles of chairpersons and other officials associated with the recruitment process, including Anurag Gupta.
Marandi said officials against whom evidence is established should face action in accordance with law, irrespective of their position or influence.
The Jharkhand High Court is scheduled to hear the matter again on October 7. The court’s proceedings will determine how the government’s latest affidavit and the ongoing investigation are considered in the legal challenge to the cancellation of the recruitment process.
