The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out searches at five locations in Chhattisgarh in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment exams conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) during the previous Congress-led state government, officials said on Friday.
The searches took place on Thursday and covered three premises in Raipur and two in Mahasamund districts. These locations were linked to five individuals whose roles have come under scrutiny in the ongoing investigation. According to officials, incriminating documents were recovered from these locations.
The probe pertains to alleged malpractices in recruitment for key administrative posts such as Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and other senior positions through CGPSC examinations held between 2020 and 2022. The CBI had taken over the investigation into two related cases in July 2024.
So far, the agency has arrested seven individuals, including the then-chairman of CGPSC, Taman Singh Sonwani, his nephews Nitesh Sonwani and Sahil Sonwani, and then Deputy Controller of Examinations, Lalit Ganvir.
Also arrested were Shravan Kumar Goyal, Director of Shri Bajrang Power and Ispat Ltd, his son Shashank Goyal, and daughter-in-law Bhumika Katiyar.
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According to the CBI, Nitesh Sonwani, Sahil Sonwani, Shashank Goyal, and Bhumika Katiyar were all selected for high-ranking posts. Nitesh, Shashank, and Bhumika were appointed as Deputy Collectors, while Sahil secured the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The CBI filed a charge sheet in the case on January 16 before a special court in Raipur, naming all seven individuals as accused.
The charge sheet detailed how Taman Singh Sonwani had leaked confidential examination papers to his nephews, while he and CGPSC official Lalit Ganvir also conspired with Shravan Kumar Goyal to leak the same papers to him. Goyal then passed the materials to his son and daughter-in-law.
The investigation is still underway and is expected to uncover further roles played by other CGPSC officials and candidates allegedly involved in the scam.
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