Sealed CID Report in JPSC-JSSC Cases Raises Questions from Babulal Marandi

The submission of the CID’s investigation report in a sealed cover before the Jharkhand High Court has triggered fresh questions from Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi over the transparency of the probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations.

Marandi questioned why the CID report was submitted in a sealed cover and why it was presented nearly four weeks after the investigation was sought. He also questioned the government’s approach to making the findings of the probe available in the ongoing court proceedings.

According to reports, the High Court has given the state government 48 hours to submit the report. Against this backdrop, Marandi has asked whether the report contains information related to the cancellation of 22 examinations that the government does not want to make public. These are questions raised by the Opposition leader and do not, by themselves, establish that any information has been withheld improperly.

Marandi said the issue goes beyond the cancellation of examinations. He argued that the investigation should establish how irregularities allegedly occurred, identify those responsible and address the concerns of the large number of candidates who spent years preparing for government recruitment examinations.

He also referred to the earlier controversy surrounding the JSSC-CGL examination. Marandi alleged that questions had surfaced over the previous CID investigation and claimed that information about the alleged circulation of 135 questions in Nepal, Bihar and West Bengal before the examination had not been properly reflected in the investigation. These claims remain allegations made by Marandi and would require verification from the investigation record or court proceedings.

The latest controversy comes as the CID continues its investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Two people, including a coaching-centre operator, were recently reported to have been arrested in connection with cases involving alleged examination manipulation, adding another development to the ongoing probe.

Marandi has questioned whether the concerns surrounding the earlier JSSC-CGL investigation could also arise in the probe covering the 22 examinations. He said that while an investigation report may be submitted to the court in a sealed cover when required by the proceedings, the questions being raised by students and job aspirants cannot simply be set aside.

He has also reiterated his demand for a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities in the JPSC-JSSC examinations. Marandi has previously made similar demands, alleging that the CID probe requires an independent investigation.

The next significant step will be the court’s consideration of the investigation report and the explanations placed before it by the state. The contents of the sealed report, and any directions subsequently issued by the High Court, will be important in determining how the investigation and the cases relating to the affected examinations proceed.