Former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L Khiyangte has been taken into custody by the CID in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and other recruitment tests, sources said on Monday.
Khiyangte was taken into custody after more than seven rounds of questioning, according to sources. Formal confirmation of his arrest was awaited at the time of publication.
The development comes amid student protests in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Khiyangte had resigned as chairman of the commission following allegations surrounding the recruitment process.
The CID had summoned him for questioning on July 28 and subsequently questioned him several times. The agency also conducted searches at his government residence and the JPSC office, during which documents, OMR sheets and digital evidence were seized.
CID probes exam contract
The investigation is focused on alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and other recruitment examinations. The CID is also examining the decision to award the contract for conducting JPSC examinations to TDPL, a company that was allegedly blacklisted.
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According to sources, investigators are examining whether the contract decision involved a possible quid pro quo. Khiyangte has denied any involvement in wrongdoing.
The development follows the earlier arrest of his computer operator, Dharmendra, in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, protests by JPSC aspirants continued in Ranchi, with students demanding action over alleged examination irregularities.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato urged police to cooperate with the protesters and questioned the use of force against students.
The CID investigation remains underway, with officials examining the role of individuals involved in the examination process and decisions related to recruitment contracts.