ED searches Dehradun premises in 2016 VPDO exam case, seizes ₹32 lakh from Rawat aide

The Enforcement Directorate has carried out searches at several locations in Dehradun in connection with alleged irregularities in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari (VPDO) Examination, 2016, the agency said on Friday.

Among the premises searched was the residence of Chandan Singh Jeena, who currently serves as personal assistant to former Chief Minister Harish Singh Rawat and had earlier worked as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) during Mr. Rawat's tenure as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2017.

The searches also covered the homes of the then Chairman and the then Secretary of the UKSSSC, the then Exam Controller, the owner of the private computer agency engaged for OMR processing, and middlemen described as being linked to the conspiracy.

According to the agency, its investigation has found that OMR answer sheets were moved out of the commission's secure custody to the private residence of the then Secretary of the UKSSSC. There, the roll numbers of under-filled sheets were recorded and passed on to personnel of the private computer agency, who allegedly filled in and altered answer bubbles fraudulently before the sheets were resealed. The agency said this was done in exchange for illegal gratification routed through middlemen.

From Mr. Jeena's premises, the ED said it seized an unaccounted sum of ₹32 lakh, 13 gold coins, seven gold chains weighing about 200.5 grams, and 12 luxury wristwatches of expensive brands. It also froze more than ₹52 lakh held in the bank accounts of Mr. Jeena and his family members.

The agency put the total value of assets seized and frozen at Mr. Jeena's residence at about ₹1.28 crore, adding that the figure is likely to rise once the value of the remaining 12 luxury watches is separately ascertained.