The CID investigation into alleged irregularities in various examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has uncovered statements related to alleged manipulation of OMR and OSM. According to the investigation, attempts were allegedly made to alter candidates’ marks in exchange for money and help them qualify in the examinations.
The CID, which is investigating alleged irregularities in various JPSC examinations, has obtained statements related to alleged manipulation of the examination process. Some employees of the examination agency TDPL have been accused of changing candidates’ marks for money and helping them in the selection process.
Usman, a technical support employee of TDPL who was previously arrested in connection with the case, allegedly provided information to the CID about manipulation of OMR and OSM.
According to Usman’s alleged statement, TDPL employees Hemant and Sanjay were involved in making changes to OMR and OSM. The CID is verifying the statements received so far and collecting electronic records, documents and other evidence related to the allegations.
The investigation has brought forward allegations of irregularities in the Forest Range Officer (FRO) examination, the 14th JPSC examination and the JPSC Backlog examination, among others.
According to Usman’s alleged statement, around 100 candidates in the FRO examination, more than 100 candidates in the 14th JPSC examination and 50 to 100 candidates in the backlog examination were allegedly to be helped to qualify in exchange for money.
The CID is currently verifying all these allegations. The agency is matching statements from the people concerned with available records to establish the links in the case.
The alleged statement of arrested TDPL director Ramveer Singh mentions manipulation in the OMR scanning and evaluation process. It is alleged that options left blank on the OMR sheets of some candidates were later changed to correct answers.
The investigation has also indicated alleged irregularities in merit-related data, OSM, main examination marks and code generation related to interviews. According to the allegations, roll numbers of certain candidates were provided, based on which changes were allegedly made to their OMR sheets.
According to the alleged statements obtained during the investigation, some candidates were allegedly charged lakhs of rupees in exchange for helping them secure selection.
In the case of the FRO examination, it has been alleged that amounts ranging from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per candidate were taken.
Allegations of large financial transactions in exchange for providing candidates’ roll numbers and helping them in the selection process have also emerged in some other examinations. The CID is investigating the claims related to these financial transactions.
In the alleged statement of arrested TDPL marketing manager Abhay Tiwari, a flat at Hariom Tower in Ranchi was allegedly used to provide examination-related assistance to some candidates.
According to the statement, people were allegedly brought from other states to arrange for answers to be written for certain candidates. The investigation has also brought forward claims that, in some cases, people capable of writing better answers were used to improve candidates’ performance in the main examination and help increase their marks.
Some alleged statements examined by the CID also mention the names of senior officials, including IAS officer Manish Ranjan. However, the appearance of a person’s name in an investigation does not by itself establish that the person has committed an offence.
The CID is also verifying the allegations concerning Manish Ranjan. The agency is examining whether the claims made in the alleged statements are supported by independent evidence.
The investigation into the alleged JPSC examination scam is continuing. The CID is separately examining alleged OMR-OSM manipulation, financial transactions involving candidates and the role of people associated with the conduct of the examinations.
