Journalism of Courage
Supreme Court notice to Centre, Jharkhand on CBI probe plea over exam ‘irregularities’
The plea sought an investigation into question-paper handling, OMR custody, evaluation and electronic exam data in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
The three-language policy requires students to learn three languages in school, with at least two being “native Indian languages” (Bhartiya Bhashas). (File photo)
The Supreme Court Monday sought responses from the Centre and Jharkhand Government on a plea seeking an independent, time-bound CBI probe into alleged malpractices in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
Appearing for petitioner and activist Harisharan Devgan, Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that students had been protesting for more than a month seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Mishra told the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, that the state had cancelled the examination, but the Jharkhand High Court stayed the decision after hearing the matter. “The state also indirectly supported,” Mishra said.
The CJI said the court wants to know whether the judicial service exams are also conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission or separately by the High Court.
Mishra said the Commission conducted them, to which the CJI said, “We are worried about that”.
Mishra urged the Supreme Court to order a CBI investigation, preferably under the supervision of a former Supreme Court judge. The bench, however, indicated that such an investigation would involve forensic examination of evidence and other technical aspects.
What petitioner said
The petitioner said the plea did not seek cancellation of the examination merely on the basis of media reports or protests, but sought an independent investigation to determine the nature and extent of the alleged irregularities.
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“The principal relief sought is for an independent, impartial, comprehensive and time-bound investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation, so that the nature, extent, mechanism and impact of the alleged irregularities may be objectively determined”.
“Allegations require examination of the entire examination chain, including preparation and printing of question papers, coding, storage, transportation, distribution, conduct of the examination, collection and custody of OMR sheets, scanning, coding and decoding, evaluation, storage and access to electronic examination data, generation of the result and publication thereof”.
The petitioner also sought immediate preservation of physical and digital evidence, including original and candidate-held OMR copies, CCTV footage, and server audit logs, apprehending possible tampering.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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