JPSC-JSSC exam probe: CID uncovers alleged manipulation of OMR sheets and digital systems

The Jharkhand CID investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) has reportedly uncovered several startling details.

One of the most significant developments concerns Sukhdeo Tiwari, father of arrested accused Abhay Tiwari. According to documents presented before the court and facts emerging from the investigation, Sukhdeo Tiwari appeared for the 2024 FRO (PT) and ACF (PT) examinations conducted by TDPL.

The revelation has raised questions because, according to the investigation, Sukhdeo Tiwari died in 2018. The CID is now examining how his name appeared in the records of examinations held in 2024, who allegedly appeared in his place and whether the episode was connected to manipulation of the examination process.

Abhay Tiwari, whose full name is Manoj Kumar Tiwari alias Abhay Kumar Tiwari, was working as a marketing manager with the examination agency TDPL. According to the investigation documents, he is alleged to have played a central role in a network that promised candidates success in examinations in exchange for money.

The documents allege that Tiwari assured candidates that he could help them clear the preliminary examination and secure final selection by influencing the examination process through his contacts. According to the allegations, candidates were asked to pay around Rs 5 lakh for clearing the preliminary examination, while Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh was allegedly demanded for final selection.

The investigation has also brought the examination records of Tiwari's family members and relatives under scrutiny. Documents reportedly allege that he played a role in helping his wife, brother and other relatives clear examinations and secure government jobs.

The CID is now examining which examinations these individuals appeared for, what their results were and whether any irregularity was involved in their selection. Investigators are also looking into how many candidates directly or indirectly associated with Abhay Tiwari appeared for JPSC examinations and how many of them were eventually selected.

More than 500 OMR sheets under scrutiny

The alleged manipulation of OMR answer sheets has emerged as another major aspect of the investigation. According to documents submitted before the court, more than 350 OMR sheets from the FRO examination and more than 150 from the ACF examination are suspected to have been tampered with.

This puts more than 500 OMR sheets from the two examinations under the CID's scrutiny.

The allegations, however, extend beyond physical answer sheets. The documents also refer to alleged manipulation of the digital evaluation system and examination servers. Investigators are examining digital records and server logs to determine whether examination data was altered after the tests were conducted.

The court documents further allege that attempts were made to remove original answer sheets from secure storage and rewrite or alter them. According to the allegations, such changes were carried out in exchange for money.

The CID is now trying to establish which answer sheets were allegedly accessed, who handled them and how they could have been removed from secure custody.

Candidates' original documents allegedly collected

Another serious allegation concerns the documents allegedly collected from candidates. According to the investigation documents, candidates were allegedly asked to hand over original educational certificates, cancelled cheques, signed blank stamp papers and blank A4 sheets bearing their signatures.

Investigators are examining the alleged purpose behind collecting these documents and whether they were used to secure financial transactions or exert pressure on candidates.

TDPL's Lucknow office also under investigation

The role of TDPL's Lucknow office has also emerged during the investigation. Court documents reportedly refer to the company's office at FF-67, Adarsh Complex, Jankipuram, Lucknow.

The documents allege that company directors Satyapal and Ranveer, along with employees Mohammad Usman and Mohammad Awadh, were involved with an alleged “secret cell” that was being used to facilitate irregularities in the examination process.

The CID is investigating the actual roles of the individuals concerned and examining whether they had access to examination records, systems or other sensitive parts of the recruitment process.

Abhay Tiwari also accused in JSSC-CGL paper leak case

The name of Manoj Kumar Tiwari alias Abhay Kumar Tiwari had surfaced earlier in connection with an alleged examination paper leak. According to the documents, he is already an accused in the JSSC-CGL paper leak case, referred to as Namkum police station case number 45/2024.

The case documents reportedly mention IPC Sections 467, 468, 420 and 120B, along with Section 12 of the Jharkhand Competitive Examination Act, 2023, and Section 64 of the Information Technology Act.

With allegations relating to both the earlier JSSC-CGL case and the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations, the scope of the CID probe has widened considerably.

Investigators are now trying to establish who was in contact with Abhay Tiwari, what his actual role within TDPL was, which officials or employees he allegedly had access to, which candidates allegedly paid money and who may have benefited from the alleged manipulation.

The CID is also examining examination records, OMR sheets, digital data, server logs, documents obtained from candidates and communication or links between the accused to piece together the alleged network.

The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation, and the claims regarding examination manipulation, illegal payments and the involvement of specific individuals will ultimately have to be established through evidence and the legal process.