Jharkhand Exam Row Intensifies: BJP Calls Statewide Bandh As ED Launches Money Laundering Probe

Ranchi: The agitation by JPSC aspirants over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations intensified on Monday, with thousands of protesters marching towards the state Assembly in Ranchi and police using water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse them.

The escalation came as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in multiple recruitment examinations, while the Jharkhand CID arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairperson L Khiangte in connection with the case.

The protesters, who have been agitating for several weeks over alleged manipulation and irregularities in JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations, attempted to march towards the Vidhan Sabha as part of a 'Gherao' programme.

BJP Calls Statewide Bandh

Jharkhand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Aditya Sahu launched a sharp attack on the Hemant Soren-led government over the police action during the JPSC-JSSC aspirants' protest march here, alleging that hundreds of students were injured in the lathicharge and announcing support for the party's call for a 'statewide bandh' on Tuesday.

Speaking on the police action during the protest march, Sahu said, "The police personnel should be invited and awarded medals, honoured, for the way they handled the situation involving the children of Jharkhand. Hundreds of children are currently injured after being subjected to a lathicharge."

Targeting Chief Minister Hemant Soren, he said, "I feel that Hemant Soren has never experienced poverty or struggle; had he witnessed rural poverty firsthand, he likely wouldn't speak this way. He has inherited his father's legacy, which perhaps explains why he treats students in this manner."

ED Enters JPSC Exam Probe

The ED's entry has added another dimension to the controversy. The agency has initiated a money laundering probe into alleged irregularities connected with multiple recruitment examinations.

The financial investigation is expected to examine whether any proceeds of crime were generated through alleged manipulation of recruitment examinations and whether such funds were subsequently laundered.

The ED probe is separate from the criminal investigation being conducted by the state CID. The initiation of an investigation does not by itself establish criminal wrongdoing, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.

Police Use Force As Protesters March Towards Assembly

Jharkhand Police on Monday used lathis and water cannons to control the crowd during the 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march by Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) aspirants in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examinations.

The protest movement has now entered its 17th day, with students continuing to demand greater transparency and accountability in the recruitment process. The immediate trigger for Monday's confrontation was the protesters' attempt to reach the Assembly despite security restrictions.

The protesters have demanded cancellation of examinations they allege were affected by irregularities and sought an independent probe into the recruitment process.

The Jharkhand government has maintained that substantial progress has already been made on the students' demands. State minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu had said the government had accepted around 98 per cent of their demands. However, student representatives have disputed this assessment, arguing that several key demands remain unresolved.

Former JPSC Chief L Khiangte Arrested

In a major development, the Jharkhand CID arrested former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Khiangte had earlier resigned as JPSC chairperson after the CID conducted searches at his official residence, office chamber and other locations as part of its investigation. He was subsequently questioned by the agency for several hours.

The investigation has focused on alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination as well as other recruitment tests.

The CID has already arrested several individuals in the case, including officials and employees associated with the examination process and an outsourcing agency. Investigators have also seized documents, OMR sheets and digital evidence during searches.

Recruitment System Under Scrutiny

The controversy initially centred on alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination but has since widened to encompass several JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.

The JPSC has already postponed a number of examinations amid the controversy, including the Civil Services Main examination and backlog examinations.

At the heart of the agitation is a broader demand from job aspirants for a transparent and credible recruitment system. Students have argued that prolonged examination delays, alleged irregularities and investigations have created uncertainty for candidates who have spent years preparing for government jobs.

With the CID investigation continuing, the ED now examining the financial aspects of the allegations and the BJP's statewide bandh call adding a political dimension, the Jharkhand recruitment controversy is set for another flashpoint on Tuesday.

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