Jharkhand News: Jharkhand High Court Issues Notice to State Government and JSSC in JSSC CGL Exam Paper Leak Case; Hearing Scheduled for December 3

Ranchi, October 22, 2024: The Jharkhand High Court has issued notices to the state government and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) concerning the alleged paper leak incident related to the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) Examination.

The court’s decision comes following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or judicial probe into the matter. The next hearing is set for December 3.

During the proceedings, senior advocate Ajit Kumar, along with lawyers Aparajita Bhardwaj and Samir Ranjan, represented the petitioners. They highlighted that the JSSC CGL Exam 2023 took place on January 28, 2024, with a large number of candidates participating. However, numerous students have accused the authorities of a question paper leak, prompting widespread protests across the state.

In response to these allegations, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted. The petitioners further contended that similar instances of paper leaks occurred during exams held on September 21 and 22, 2024.

Rajesh Prasad, one of the petitioners, noted that he filed an online complaint with the local police station regarding the matter, but expressed concerns over the lack of action taken.

The JSSC CGL exam has sparked significant unrest among students, many of whom are demanding accountability from the commission. Senior Advocate Rajeev Ranjan, representing the state, countered the claims made by the petitioners, asserting that their allegations are unfounded and meritless.

Allegations of Non-Transparent Investigation

The PIL filed in the High Court asserts that the investigation carried out by the SIT, formed by the state police, lacks transparency. The petitioner argues that the findings of the investigation have not been made public, raising further concerns about the integrity of the inquiry.

The petition calls for a more thorough investigation through the CBI or a judicial inquiry, emphasizing the necessity for transparency and accountability in the process. Notably, the JSSC CGL exam was conducted to fill 2,025 positions across various departments, with over 650,000 candidates vying for a chance to secure a government job.

Impact on Aspirants and Next Steps

The allegations surrounding the paper leak have led to mounting pressure on the state government and the JSSC, as candidates express their frustration over the integrity of the examination process. Students have voiced their concerns through various platforms, demanding that their grievances be addressed adequately and expeditiously.

As the December 3 hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the court to see how it addresses the issues raised in the PIL and whether it will order a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of misconduct in the examination process.