The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and Jharkhand government to respond to a petition demanding an independent, time‑bound CBI investigation into alleged exam irregularities. The order seeks forensic scrutiny of the entire examination process.
- Supreme Court orders an independent CBI probe into Jharkhand civil service exam irregularities.
- Centre and Jharkhand government given a deadline to submit written responses.
- Investigation will cover question‑paper handling, OMR custody, and electronic data forensics.
Background
The Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination faced accusations of malpractice concerning question‑paper preparation, OMR sheet handling, and electronic data management. After the state cancelled the exam, the Jharkhand High Court stayed the decision, prompting prolonged student protests.
Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra appeared for petitioner and activist Harisharan Devgan>, urging the Supreme Court to order a CBI investigation supervised by a former judge.
Supreme Court Proceedings
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant headed the bench that issued notices to both the Centre and the Jharkhand Government, seeking written replies on the scope of the probe. The bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, stressed that any investigation would require forensic examination of evidence.
The petition specifically demanded preservation of physical and digital evidence, including original OMR copies, CCTV footage, and server audit logs, to prevent tampering.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that a transparent investigation could set a precedent for handling examination scandals across India, reinforcing public trust in competitive recruitment processes.
"An independent CBI probe is the only way to restore confidence in the integrity of public service exams," said a legal analyst.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will the exam be re‑conducted after the probe?
A: The Court has not ruled on that yet; the decision will depend on the investigation’s findings.
Q2: What evidence will be preserved?
A: Original OMR sheets, CCTV recordings, server logs, and all electronic data will be secured immediately.
