Ranchi: Jharkhand's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday evening filed its first charge sheet against five key accused in a Ranchi court in the case of OMR sheet manipulation, breaches of confidential data and trading of merit in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations.
Filed just before the 90-day statutory period expired, the charge sheet closed the door on the arrested accused seeking default bail. The five named are then Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta; TDPL director and alleged mastermind Ramveer Singh; marketing manager Abhay Kumar Tiwari; and agency staff Md. Usman and Md. Ebad.
The investigation revealed that a 'rate card' had been drawn up to guarantee success for unqualified candidates. Sums of ₹5 lakh were demanded to pass the preliminary examination, ₹10-15 lakh to inflate marks in the main examination and interviews, and ₹60-70 lakh to secure final selection.
As collateral, candidates were made to hand over original academic documents, blank cheques and signatures on blank sheets of paper. A Forensic Science Laboratory report confirmed that OMR sheets were deliberately left blank and later filled in by manipulating the scanning process and the backend server. The confidential answer key was leaked on WhatsApp before its official release. In exchange, flight tickets to Delhi and Bengaluru were booked for the then Deputy Controller and family members. The first hearing is set for October 26.
The irregularities in JPSC examinations have affected the careers of thousands of genuine candidates in the state. The CID is now preparing to file a supplementary charge sheet against other suspects, and candidates who benefited from the scam will also be questioned. The case has raised serious questions about the confidentiality of the examination system. Affected candidates have demanded justice, and all eyes are on the next hearing.