The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three additional individuals in connection with the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scam, a lawyer representing two of them confirmed.
Sahil Sonwani was arrested in Darjeeling, West Bengal, while Shashank Goyal and his wife, Bhumika Katiyar, were taken into custody in New Delhi. The trio was brought to Chhattisgarh on Sunday, where the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Kriti Kujur placed them in CBI custody until January 13, their lawyer, Faisal Rizvi, said.
High-profile connections
- Sahil Sonwani: Selected as a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Sahil is the nephew of retired IAS officer and former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani.
- Shashank Goyal and Bhumika Katiyar: Both selected as deputy collectors, they are the son and daughter-in-law of Shravan Kumar Goyal, director of Bajrang Power and Ispat Limited.
Taman Singh Sonwani and Shravan Kumar Goyal were previously arrested by the CBI in November 2024 for allegedly orchestrating the scam and remain in jail.
The CBI alleges that Taman Singh Sonwani, who chaired the CGPSC between 2018 and 2023 during Congress rule, accepted a bribe of ₹45 lakh from Shravan Goyal. The payment was allegedly made to secure the selection of Shashank and Bhumika as deputy collectors.
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Earlier arrests
On Saturday, the CBI also arrested two other individuals:
- Nitesh Sonwani, a relative of Taman Singh, selected as a deputy collector.
- Lalit Ganweer, a former deputy examination controller.
- Both are in CBI custody until January 13.
The CGPSC is responsible for recruiting candidates for state government positions. The scam allegedly involved manipulation of exams held between 2020 and 2022 to favour relatives and associates of influential individuals.
In July 2024, the CBI began investigating allegations of favouritism and corruption in CGPSC recruitments, following cases registered in Raipur and Balod district. The agency claims that senior officials, including then-CGPSC secretary Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, colluded with politicians to rig selections for posts like deputy collectors and DSPs.
The scam became a major issue during the 2023 Chhattisgarh assembly elections, with BJP leaders accusing the ruling Congress of corruption. After winning the December 2023 elections, the BJP initiated a thorough investigation into the allegations, leading to multiple arrests.
The investigation continues, with the CBI determined to uncover the full extent of the scam and hold all involved accountable.
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