Job Scam: Three JPSC members resign amid CID probe into exam irregularities
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Advertisement Advertisement Ranchi, August 9: In a significant development amid the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 9: In a significant development amid the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations, three serving members of the commission—Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmed—have resigned from their posts.
According to sources, the three members have sent their resignation letters to the Governor. The resignations come at a time when the JPSC is facing mounting scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the conduct of competitive examinations and the selection of agencies to conduct them.
The development assumes significance as the Jharkhand CID, which is probing alleged irregularities in JPSC recruitment examinations, had recently summoned the three serving members for questioning.
According to sources, Bhattacharya, Hansda and Ahmed were asked to appear before the investigating agency on August 10, 12 and 14, respectively. Ajita Bhattacharya happens to be the wife of senior JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya.
The CID is reportedly seeking to ascertain the role of the commission members in various decisions related to the conduct of examinations, including the selection of agencies entrusted with examination-related work.
Governor accepts resignations of three JPSC members
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar has accepted the resignations of three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC)—Dr Ajita Bhattacharya, Dr Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmed. According to an official communication, the Governor accepted their resignations in accordance with the recommendation of the state government.
TDPL selection under CID scanner
A key issue being examined by the investigating agency is the empanelment and selection of TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a Lucknow-based company that conducted examinations for JPSC.
According to sources, TDPL had previously been blacklisted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) in May 2025 over alleged irregularities. The CID is now examining the circumstances under which the company was subsequently selected to conduct JPSC examinations.
The agency is also probing the monitoring and administrative functioning of the commission, along with issues relating to examination data security and the handling of examination-related information.
19 arrested so far
The CID investigation has already led to the arrest of 19 people in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities.
Those arrested include several employees of TDPL, including its director Ramveer Singh, marketing manager Abhay Tiwari, accountant Rakshak Singh and technical programmers Usman and Ebad.
On the JPSC side, Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta, staff member Sonu Kumar and computer operator Dharmendra Kumar have also been arrested and questioned by the investigating agency.
The CID has also arrested four candidates allegedly involved in examination fraud and three alleged middlemen.
Former JPSC chairman questioned
Former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte has already been questioned several times by the CID as part of the investigation. The agency had also conducted searches at his residence and office, following which he resigned from his post.
During the questioning, the issue of signatures of JPSC members on the results of the Preliminary Test reportedly came under discussion. Sources said the signatures of the three members had not been obtained before the PT results were released. Khiangte reportedly told investigators that the rules did not require members’ signatures for the release of PT results.
The CID is now seeking to establish whether the serving members were aware of and agreed to the process.
JPSC controversy triggers student protests
The alleged irregularities have triggered widespread protests by students and job aspirants across Jharkhand. Protesters have demanded cancellation and review of examinations, including the Preliminary Test of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination.
They have also demanded a review of examinations conducted through external agencies, including TDPL, and reforms in the recruitment process.
The issue has also generated political heat, with the Opposition repeatedly raising the matter in the Jharkhand Assembly and demanding stringent action against those responsible.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has maintained that no person involved in examination irregularities will be spared and that the investigating agency has been given a free hand to conduct a fair and impartial probe.
The resignation of the three JPSC members is expected to add a new dimension to the ongoing controversy as the CID investigation continues.
