Jharkhand LoP Marandi questions CID probe into exam cancellations, reiterates demand for CBI inquiry

New Delhi, Aug 19 (AHN) Following the cancellation of several JPSC and JSSC examinations in Jharkhand, the Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi raised questions over the “impartiality” of the investigation and reiterated his demand for a CBI probe, stating that the state government’s decision to scrap “tainted” exams will not yield justice without an independent investigation.

The LoP has been critical of the CID probe and vocal about an inquiry by the central investigative agency to ensure an impartial and fair investigation.

Marandi, in a social media post, raised questions over alleged irregularities in the 11th-13th Combined Civil Services Examination conducted by the JPSC, purported influencing of the interview board, and the role of officials involved in the investigation.

Marandi claimed that Ramveer Singh and Abhay Tiwari, associated with the agency TDPL, admitted in their statements to having "fixed" the interview board for the 11th-13th JPSC examination.

According to the BJP leader, Ramveer Singh allegedly confessed that the then JPSC Chairman and members would summon specific candidates to their interview boards by decoding their identification codes.

He questioned why, if such manipulation occurred during the interview process, the roles of all officials who served on the interview boards were not being investigated. He claimed that several IPS officers, including CID ADG Manoj Kaushik, had been part of the interview boards.

Marandi asked how a fair investigation into the matter could be conducted by the CID when officials associated with that very agency were allegedly part of the process itself.

He demanded that Chief Minister Hemant Soren hand over the investigation to the CBI.

The BJP leader stated that if allegations regarding the manipulation of the interview process have surfaced, the statements of all officials involved in the interview boards should be recorded, and the matter should be thoroughly investigated to ensure action is taken against the guilty.

He noted that the government notification mentions irregularities found in the exams based on the CID probe and that the JPSC Chairman has already been arrested in connection with this case.