JPSC probe uncovers Rs 5.8 crore deals and marks raised for 7 candidates

CID investigators have questioned Jharkhand government employee Abhay Kumar Tiwari over allegations that cash was collected to influence JPSC recruitment and interview scores. His disclosures have widened the probe, with former commission members, intermediaries and a separate JSSC paper leak case now under scrutiny.JPSC scam probe centres on Abhay Tiwari over Rs 5.8 crore cash-for-jobs claimThe CID probe into irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations has thrown up fresh revelations, with the interview marks of seven candidates allegedly increased in exchange for money, according to sources.During questioning, Abhay Kumar Tiwari, a Jharkhand government employee and key accused in the case, reportedly told investigators that deals worth lakhs of rupees were made to increase the candidates' interview scores in the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations.Tiwari also told the CID that he collected around Rs 5.8 crore from 20 candidates seeking Forest Range Officer (FRO) and Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) posts.The alleged deal for an FRO post ranged from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, while an ACF post was allegedly priced at Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh. Tiwari also admitted to taking Rs 10 lakh from candidates in the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) examination.The disclosures come as the CID investigates irregularities in the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and also looks into the 11th to 13th examinations.HOW WERE INTERVIEW MARKS RAISED? According to sources, Tiwari told investigators that the interview marks of seven candidates were increased in exchange for money.The investigation has also brought several people into focus in connection with the alleged manipulation.Sources said Aditya Pandey of Namkum allegedly contacted Khyangte, Ajita Bhattacharya, her PA Brajram, Jamal Ahmed, former JPSC member Anima Hansda and TDPL director Ramveer Singh to facilitate increases in candidates' interview marks.Tiwari told investigators that he came in contact with three candidates who had cleared the JPSC examination through an agent identified as Lalu.These candidates were subsequently allegedly placed before the interview boards of Khyangte and Ajita Bhattacharya, according to sources.TIWARI EMERGES AS KEY FIGURE IN CID PROBETiwari, who has emerged as a key figure in the CID investigation, cleared 12 competitive examinations in 13 years.His record includes JPSC examinations for Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forest Range Officer and Forest Subordinate Service posts.Investigators suspect that Tiwari used his experience of competitive examinations and his network among aspirants to gain their confidence and facilitate the alleged deals.His disclosures have now opened up a wider line of inquiry into whether financial transactions were used to influence both recruitment outcomes and interview scores.FORMER JPSC MEMBER TO FACE CID QUESTIONINGThe CID is scheduled to question former JPSC member Dr Anima Hansda today. Ajita Bhattacharya has already been questioned as part of the investigation.The questioning comes as investigators examine the alleged manipulation of interview marks and the people who may have helped connect candidates with those who could influence their scores.JSSC JUNIOR ENGINEER PAPER LEAK CASESeparately, a special team of Ranchi Police has arrested Arun Sharma from Mumbai in connection with the alleged paper leak in the JSSC Junior Engineer recruitment examination.Sharma is the operator and director of Binsys, the agency involved in conducting the examination and managing its data, according to the reporter's inputs.The CID may approach the court seeking Sharma's remand. It may also take over the case registered at Namkum police station in connection with the JSSC Junior Engineer examination.Sharma is originally from Nalanda, Bihar.The fresh disclosures in the JPSC case have widened the focus of the investigation from alleged irregularities in examination papers to the possibility of manipulation at the interview stage, with investigators now examining the money trail, intermediaries and people connected to the selection process.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 10:59 IST