Ranchi, Sept 9 : The investigation into alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has brought to light claims of a purported examination syndicate involving commission officials, middlemen and a blacklisted examination agency, according to documents cited in the investigation.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the case, has reportedly placed before the court documents opposing the bail plea of former JPSC chairman L Khiangte.
According to the investigation, officials have alleged multiple attempts to destroy or remove digital evidence linked to the case. The agency has reportedly claimed that Khiangte resigned after the JPSC premises were raided on July 22, 2026, and took away an official laptop and a pen drive.
Forensic examination allegedly found that digital data had been removed from the devices and that attempts were made to damage or erase information stored on the hard disk.
The CID has also claimed to have found evidence of suspicious financial transactions and call records involving the former JPSC chairman and alleged middlemen.
Alleged tampering of 500 OMR sheets
The investigation has reportedly uncovered suspected irregularities involving around 500 OMR answer sheets in examinations conducted by the commission.
According to documents cited in reports, more than 350 OMR sheets in the Forest Range Officer examination and over 150 sheets in the Assistant Conservator of Forest examination were allegedly tampered with.
The agencies are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged manipulation and identifying those who may have benefited from it.
Alleged rate card for candidates
The investigation has also pointed to an alleged fixed rate structure operated by the purported syndicate.
According to the allegations, candidates were allegedly asked to pay around ₹5 lakh for clearing the preliminary examination, while amounts ranging between ₹10 lakh and ₹25 lakh were allegedly demanded for final selection.
Investigators have also reportedly recovered or identified documents allegedly taken from candidates as security, including original educational certificates, blank signed cheques and stamp papers.
The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation and have not been established in court.
Blacklisted agency under scanner
The role of TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), an examination agency, has also come under scrutiny.
According to the investigation, TDPL was assigned work related to JPSC examinations in June 2025 despite reportedly being blacklisted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The investigation has also alleged that former JPSC examination controller Asim Kispota had objected to awarding the contract to TDPL.
Kispota was subsequently removed from examination-related responsibilities and deputy examination controller Shweta Kumari Gupta was appointed in his place, according to the allegations cited in the investigation.
The probe is also examining the alleged role of TDPL marketing manager Abhay Tiwari, who has been described by investigators as a key operator of the alleged syndicate.
The CID has further alleged that Tiwari appeared in several examinations while working with the examination agency and subsequently cleared them.
Raids and questioning continue
Investigating agencies have conducted raids at offices linked to the examination process and questioned candidates whose selections were considered suspicious, officials said.
Khiangte, who was arrested on August 10, had sought bail, but his petition was rejected on Saturday.
The alleged irregularities have triggered protests by students in Jharkhand, who have demanded a CBI investigation and reforms in the examination system. The protests have also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The investigation remains underway, with agencies examining the alleged financial transactions, manipulation of examination records, role of officials and middlemen, and possible destruction of evidence.
