JPSC 14th Civil Services Exam Irregularities: CID Raids Coaching Centres in Ranchi, Hazaribagh

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has intensified its probe into alleged irregularities in the JPSC 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination, carrying out searches at coaching centres and premises linked to their operators in Ranchi and Hazaribagh.

A special CID team raided Shivangan Ki Pathshala in Lalpur, Ranchi, and the Ratu Road residence of its director and operator Sanjeet Kumar. The team also searched Megha Coaching Centre in Hazaribagh. According to CID sources, investigators recovered documents and digital evidence that could shed light on alleged dealings with candidates and financial transactions linked to the suspected examination racket.

Investigators suspect that some candidates may have been approached through coaching centres as part of an alleged arrangement to manipulate the examination process. The role of coaching operators and intermediaries is now being examined in detail.

Coaching operators, middlemen under scanner

The names of the coaching centres reportedly surfaced during questioning of agents and candidates arrested earlier in the case. Investigators suspect that coaching centres may have been used to identify candidates and facilitate contact between them and intermediaries allegedly involved in the racket.

The CID is now examining candidate data recovered during the searches, financial transactions and bank accounts, as well as the alleged role of Sanjeet Kumar and other coaching operators.

Alleged manipulation of OMR sheets

The investigation is also looking into allegations that the irregularities went beyond conventional cheating. According to the CID's probe, some candidates who were allegedly part of the suspected arrangement may have submitted blank OMR answer sheets, which were allegedly filled in later.

Investigators are examining whether such manipulation could have involved the examination conducting agency or other members of the alleged network.

The CID is also probing allegations that question papers were taken outside the examination process after the test and allegedly provided to coaching centres, where experts may have been asked to solve the questions. Investigators are examining these claims along with possible paper leaks and manipulation of answer sheets.

Names emerged during interrogation of arrested accused

The coaching centres came under the CID's scanner following questioning of agents and candidates arrested in connection with the alleged JPSC irregularities. Investigators are examining the entire chain, from candidate identification and alleged financial arrangements to the suspected manipulation of examination material.

The agency is also investigating whether the same network had links to other examination-related cases.

Advertisement

22 arrested, seven accused still absconding

The CID has so far arrested 22 people in the case and sent them to judicial custody, while seven named or suspected accused are reportedly still absconding.

Those being sought include people allegedly associated with coaching centres and intermediaries suspected of facilitating contact with candidates. CID teams are conducting searches at possible locations to trace the absconding accused.

Investigators believe that questioning the remaining suspects could provide further information about the alleged network and reveal additional people involved in the case.

CID questions JSSC CGL case accused

Meanwhile, the CID's Special Investigation Team continued questioning alleged JSSC CGL examination irregularity case accused Abhay Kumar Tiwari, his wife Sushma Kumari and brother Akshay Tiwari for the second consecutive day.

The three were questioned together about the alleged links between the examination commission, intermediaries and other suspected key figures. Investigators also sought details about the amount allegedly collected from candidates, the flow of money and whether question papers were allegedly made available before the examination.

The CID has taken Abhay Kumar Tiwari on five days' remand, while Sushma Kumari and Akshay Tiwari were granted three days' remand. Their remand was scheduled to end on Monday.

As the investigation progresses, the CID is examining both the financial trail and the digital evidence to establish how the alleged examination network operated. Further arrests and disclosures are possible if investigators establish links between the suspects and the alleged manipulation of the JPSC examination process.