Jharkhand Govt To Form Panel Under Retired HC Judge To Probe JSSC-CGL Exam Irregularities; Holds Talks With Protesting Students

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has decided to set up a committee headed by a retired High Court judge to investigate alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL recruitment examination, Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar announced. The move comes amid ongoing student protests over recruitment exam anomalies.

On Sunday, a government panel held discussions with representatives of student organisations and spoke with Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for eight days. Mahto’s condition deteriorated around 3 am due to low blood glucose levels. Minister Sudivya Kumar, a member of the panel, spoke to him via video call, inquired about his health, and assured him that talks were underway and the issue would be resolved the same day.

After the talks, Kumar said the dialogue was positive and that students would now decide on withdrawing the agitation. He added that the government would recommend an ED probe into financial irregularities in JPSC examinations, set up a fast-track court, and ensure charge sheets are filed within 90 days in cases related to exam irregularities.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that the students’ agitation should not be given a political colour. He cautioned those with political ambitions against using the students’ concerns for personal interests or misleading the youth, stressing that genuine grievances must be addressed seriously. Soren pledged to deliver justice with transparency, asserting that dialogue, not batons, can resolve problems, and that those involved in exam irregularities would face strict action. He described the youths’ concerns as his own and alleged that vested interests were attempting to disrupt democracy in the state.

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar said the government does not want to play with students’ futures amid the protests over recruitment exam irregularities.

Governor Gangwar has accepted the resignations of Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmed as members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, on the recommendation of the state government, as per reports.

Student leaders, however, said they were not ready for any compromise until a CBI probe is announced and announced plans to march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.