Jharkhand CBI Probe Demands Grow as Protests Continue

The government could not meet any success even after another round of discussion with the students, whereas the government has reportedly accepted all student's demands except one of having a CBI inquiry against JSSC-CGL exam irregularities.

“Most of our demands have been met, including the demand for cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam. But we will not compromise till our demand for a CBI probe is fulfilled. We will continue our proposed march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10,” student leader Ravindra Paswan said.

Sudivya States Jharkhand Government’s Proposal

Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu said, "Following three days of talks and extensive consultations, and acting on the instructions of CM Hemant Soren, the government decided to address the irregularities associated with the 14th GPSC and the 2023-25 backlog recruitments through a two-pronged approach. Criminal aspects will be investigated by the CID; furthermore, given the financial implications and evidence of illicit financial transactions, a request will be made for an ED investigation. Subsequently, a fast-track court will be constituted, and charge sheets against the accused will be filed within 90 days." 

He added, "The government stated that a committee comprising experts from IIT-ISM, IIM Ranchi, and XLRI would be formed to guide the process. Following these discussions, student representatives demanded the cancellation of the CGL examination. The government clearly stated that, as the examination was conducted in accordance with the directives of the High Court and the Supreme Court—and is currently under their monitoring—it lacks the authority to cancel it. The government offered to oversee the investigation by constituting a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge; however, the students refused to accept this proposal. We believe the government agreed to 98 percent of the points raised. The remaining two percent—specifically the demand to cancel the CGL exam—could not be met because the government cannot unilaterally cancel an exam conducted under court orders, where results have been published and successful candidates are already employed.”

Students Demand Transparency In Exams

The aspirants have been protesting over irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and have been demanding appropriate investigation, fair selection and drastic reforms in the recruitment body of the state, since the announcement of JPSC results on July 5. Since July 25, thousands of students have come out at Jaipal Singh Munda stadium of Ranchi, under the platform of JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, asking for the examination to be nullified.

The main demands include ordering an inquiry with CBI into the whole process or through retired judges of a High court from outside the state. All other demands also center on the reforms in the JPSC and JSSC and the transparency in the selection process, due to numerous such complaints of recruitment fraud in the state.