JPSC paper leak: CID alleges ex-chairman destroyed evidence, ran 'rate card'
CID probe into JPSC irregularities alleges ex-chairman L Khiangte destroyed digital evidence and links him to a syndicate with a fixed rate card for candidates.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has made serious allegations against former chairman L Khiangte, including the destruction of digital evidence and complicity in an organised examination racket.
According to the investigating agency's affidavit, submitted while opposing Khiangte's bail plea, the former chairman resigned and took with him an official laptop and a pen drive. Forensic analysis reportedly confirmed that data from both devices was erased and the hard disk damaged, an act the CID describes as an attempt to destroy evidence. The resignation came shortly after the commission was raided on 22 July.
The CID further claims to have found substantial evidence of suspicious financial transactions and call records linking Khiangte to alleged middlemen.
The investigation has also uncovered alleged tampering in over 350 OMR sheets for the Forest Range Officer examination and more than 150 sheets for the Assistant Conservator of Forest examination.
Central to the probe is the alleged operation of a syndicate with a fixed rate card. Candidates were reportedly charged ₹5 lakh to clear the preliminary test and between ₹10 lakh and ₹25 lakh for final selection. Original educational certificates, blank signed cheques, and stamp papers were reportedly taken as security from aspirants.
The agency TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), reportedly blacklisted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), was given the responsibility of conducting JPSC examinations in June 2025. The CID alleges that former examination controller Asim Kispota objected to this contract, after which Khiangte removed him from examination duties and appointed deputy examination controller Shweta Kumari Gupta, who reportedly remained in charge even after her transfer.
TDPL's marketing manager, Abhay Tiwari, has been named as the alleged main operator of the syndicate. The CID claims Tiwari appeared in several examinations while working for the agency and cleared them successfully.
Khiangte was arrested on August 10, and his bail petition was rejected on Saturday. The CID has conducted multiple raids at the JSSC office and questioned candidates whose selections were deemed suspicious. Students have been protesting, demanding a CBI probe and systemic reforms, with the protests backed by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).