JPSC scam: Babulal Marandi alleges ₹40 lakh bribe for officer posts, seeks CBI probe
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, July 26: Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Sunday intensified his attack on the Hemant Soren…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, July 26: Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Sunday intensified his attack on the Hemant Soren government over the alleged 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) recruitment scam, claiming that aspirants are forced to pay up to ₹40 lakh to secure government officer posts in the state. He demanded that the entire case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging that the ongoing CID probe is aimed at destroying evidence rather than exposing the truth.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Ranchi, Marandi questioned why the Chief Minister was opposing a CBI investigation if he had “nothing to hide.” He alleged that the state government itself was responsible for the irregularities and described the alleged recruitment scam as a well-planned conspiracy that has jeopardized the future of thousands of job aspirants in Jharkhand.
‘CID probe meant to destroy evidence, not reveal truth’
Marandi alleged that the CID investigation was merely an attempt to shield those responsible for the alleged irregularities. While the government was projecting swift action, he claimed the investigation was nothing more than an eyewash designed to protect influential people.
“The day an independent and impartial investigation is conducted, the real masterminds behind the scam will be exposed,” he alleged, adding that the youth of Jharkhand had suffered grave injustice.
Citing the CID’s handling of previous cases, including the alleged liquor scam and the JSSC CGL examination controversy, Marandi questioned the agency’s credibility. He claimed that several high-profile investigations had failed to culminate in charge sheets or logical conclusions and alleged that recent raids on former JPSC Chairman L. Khyangte were intended to eliminate evidence rather than uncover it.
Questions FIR, seeks Prevention of Corruption Act charges
The BJP leader also questioned the FIR registered in connection with the alleged JPSC scam, asking on whose complaint it had been filed and why it had not been made public. He further questioned why the case had not been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, alleging that the FIR had been deliberately weakened to benefit those involved.
Targets CID ADG Manoj Kaushik
Marandi also targeted CID Additional Director General Manoj Kaushik, alleging that the senior IPS officer currently holds three key assignments simultaneously and enjoys the confidence of the Chief Minister.
He further alleged that Kaushik oversees matters related to coal, sand and mineral-related extortion. Referring to him as another “blue-eyed officer” of the Chief Minister, Marandi warned that officers who had previously enjoyed similar favour—including Vinay Chaubey and Anurag Gupta—had eventually faced consequences. He urged Kaushik not to compromise his career by engaging in any wrongdoing.
Former JPSC chairman should face FIR, says Marandi
Marandi alleged that a student from Karnataka had written to then JPSC Chairman L. Khyangte in January, highlighting irregularities in OMR sheets and the alleged involvement of TDPL employee Abhay Tiwari. He claimed that despite being aware of alleged irregularities in both the Range Officer examination and the 14th JPSC examination, Khyangte failed to initiate action.
Questioning how the former chairman could escape accountability merely by resigning, Marandi demanded that an FIR be lodged against him and that he be arrested.
‘₹40 lakh is the rate to become an officer in Jharkhand’
Making one of his strongest allegations, Marandi claimed that ₹40 lakh was the going rate for securing an officer-level government job in Jharkhand.
According to him, candidates allegedly pay ₹5 lakh to clear the preliminary examination, ₹25 lakh for the mains examination and ₹10 lakh to succeed in the interview process.
Serious allegations against JPSC, JSSC officials
Marandi further alleged that corrupt officials had been appointed to key positions in recruitment agencies, specifically naming Sudhir Gupta of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and making serious allegations against former Controller of Examinations Vishal Kumar.
He said the state’s recruitment system would remain compromised as long as corruption persisted in institutions responsible for selecting government officers.
“The future of Jharkhand’s youth depends on transparent recruitment. If the institutions themselves are corrupt, honest governance will remain impossible,” he said.
‘Resignations alone will not ensure justice’
Marandi argued that obtaining resignations from officials was not enough unless accountability followed. Referring to the resignation of former JPSC Chairman L. Khyangte and earlier developments involving Neeraj Sinha, he questioned what concrete action had followed those resignations.
He also criticised the CID’s investigation into the alleged JSSC CGL examination irregularities, claiming that the agency functions under political influence and has failed to file charge sheets even in major corruption cases.
Reiterating his demand, Marandi urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to immediately transfer the investigation into the alleged 14th JPSC recruitment scam to the CBI, saying only an independent probe could ensure justice for aspirants and bring the guilty to book.
He further alleged that almost every major recruitment examination conducted under the Jharkhand government had been mired in controversy and claimed that government jobs were being sold under political patronage.
State BJP Media In-charge Yogendra Pratap Singh and State Spokesperson Rafia Naz were also present at the press conference.
