RANCHI — The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Jharkhand Police has intensified its investigation into the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination irregularities case, taking another suspect into custody.

In its latest operation, the state probe agency arrested Kundan Kumar, a resident of Dumri village in Palamu district. With this development, the total number of individuals arrested in connection with the recruitment scam has risen to 10.

Series of Arrests by the Special Investigation Team

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Jharkhand CID has been conducting targeted raids across several districts to untangle the web of alleged malpractices.

The crackdown picked up momentum in late July with the arrest of key accused Abhay Tiwari, who was serving as a Block Supply Officer in Poraiyahat, Godda district. Following his interrogation, CID officials arrested his wife, Sushma Kumari, and brother, Akshay Tiwari, on August 18.

As the investigation progressed:

  • August 27: CID officials apprehended two key associates linked to the racket.

  • August 28: Four candidates who had cleared the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination—identified as Deepak Kumar, Vijay Kumar Tiwari, Umesh Kumar Rai, and Anand Kumar Singh—were taken into custody for their alleged involvement in obtaining compromised question papers.

  • August 30: Another suspect, Sameer Kumar, was arrested from Giridih district.

  • Latest Action: Kundan Kumar was picked up from Palamu as part of the widening investigation.

Background and Legal Context

The controversy stems from widespread allegations of paper leaks and corruption during the JSSC-CGL 2023 competitive examinations held in September 2024. Massive public outcry and student demonstrations across the state prompted the Jharkhand government to issue an order cancelling several recruitment tests, including the JSSC-CGL.

However, the legal situation remains complex. A group of successful candidates subsequently moved the Jharkhand High Court, expressing apprehension over the potential loss of their careers. The High Court subsequently stayed the state government’s order cancelling the examination.

Despite the court stay on the exam cancellation, the police and CID have been given a clear mandate to continue their criminal investigation to root out all beneficiaries and perpetrators involved in the scandal. Officials indicated that further arrests cannot be ruled out as investigators analyze forensic evidence and financial trails linked to the accused.