JPSC Irregularities Probe Widens: Hazaribagh Link and Role of Jamal Ahmed Under CID Scanner

The CID investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has reportedly brought several new aspects under scrutiny, including an alleged Hazaribagh connection and questions surrounding the role of commission member Dr Jamal Ahmed.

According to details emerging from statements recorded during the investigation, the alleged statements of TDPL director Rambir Singh have referred to the selection of some candidates from the Hazaribagh region and claims that Dr Jamal Ahmed may have had an influential role in matters concerning their names and selection. The investigation is also reportedly examining claims that despite alleged recommendations, some candidates could not make it through after a more modern coding system was introduced in the examination process.

Dispute over signing of examination results

Statements linked to the investigation have reportedly pointed to differences between Dr Jamal Ahmed and then examination officer Shweta Kumari Gupta. According to the allegations under examination, there were instances when Ahmed allegedly declined to sign the final results of certain commission examinations.

The investigation is also looking into the circumstances surrounding Shweta Gupta's continued posting with the commission after her transfer. The issue is said to have contributed to internal differences over examination results and the movement and approval of related files.

Rambir Singh's statement becomes a key part of the probe

Information reportedly obtained during CID questioning of TDPL director Rambir Singh is being examined as an important part of the investigation. His alleged statement refers to the conduct and supervision of ACF and FRO interviews as well as the 14th JPSC examination. According to the material being examined, certain instructions relating to these processes were issued at the level of the then commission chairman.

Another serious aspect being investigated concerns the alleged handling of confidential examination-related information. According to the allegations, Shweta Gupta was allegedly in possession of certain sensitive information before the evaluation of answer sheets for the ACF examination and the 14th JPSC preliminary examination.

The probe is examining claims that some confidential data was allegedly shared through WhatsApp with TDPL employees Usman and PK Singh before the evaluation process. Investigators are also looking into whether the information was subsequently used in any alleged manipulation of OMR sheets or the OSM system.

Shweta Gupta given additional responsibilities

Statements from Shweta Gupta and other officials have reportedly provided details about how responsibilities were distributed within the commission. According to the investigation, after then Controller of Examinations Asim Kispotta went on leave, several of his responsibilities were assigned to Gupta.

The probe also refers to Gupta being given charge of the Controller of Examinations on June 8, 2025, while Kispotta was reportedly in the Personnel Department awaiting a posting. She was also assigned responsibilities connected with the interviews for the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations.

Controller's absence brings responsibilities back to Gupta

Lokesh Mishra was subsequently appointed as Controller of Examinations. However, after he went on leave following his joining, several important responsibilities were reportedly handed back to Shweta Gupta.

Even after Mishra returned, some work related to the results of the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations was reportedly assigned to Gupta. A team headed by Deputy Secretary Sarojini Tirkey was also constituted for document verification.

According to her reported statement, Gupta said she had not been involved in the preliminary and main examination processes and therefore did not initially want to take responsibility for preparing the results. However, following directions from the chairman, she prepared the results by compiling the marks obtained in the main examination and interviews.

The prepared results were subsequently reportedly sent to three commission members — Ajit Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Dr Jamal Ahmed — for scrutiny and document verification. According to the investigation material, the results were eventually published after the members completed their process and approval was obtained at the secretary level, followed by directions from the chairman.

CID investigation continues

The JPSC case remains under investigation, and the allegations and statements emerging during the probe have not yet been independently established as facts. The exact role of Dr Jamal Ahmed and other individuals whose names have surfaced will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.

The reported claims should therefore be viewed in the context of an ongoing probe. Any final determination regarding wrongdoing or responsibility would depend on the evidence gathered by the investigating agency and subsequent legal proceedings.