The Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has said that Abhay Kumar Tiwari, one of the main accused in the alleged Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) paper leak case, had cleared several state and central-level competitive examinations over the years. The revelation comes as students in Ranchi continue their protest, with five aspirants joining an indefinite hunger strike demanding a fair investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
According to a CID statement, Tiwari had qualified multiple competitive examinations, including the written test for an assistant post at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in 2014, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Head Constable examination, the Police Sub-Inspector examination conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), the Navy SSR examination, Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) recruitment, and several JPSC and JSSC examinations.
Tiwari, who was serving as a Block Supply Officer in Godda district at the time of his arrest, is among 11 people arrested in connection with the alleged paper leak. According to the CID, he was the marketing manager and authorised representative of TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), the agency entrusted with conducting the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination held in April this year.
CID alleges organised exam racket
The FIR filed by the CID accuses Tiwari of leading an organised network that allegedly compromised the examination process. Investigators have invoked charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita relating to criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, and criminal conspiracy.
According to the FIR, the syndicate allegedly charged Rs 5 lakh to clear the preliminary examination, Rs 10 lakh in advance for the mains, and Rs 25 lakh for final selection. The complaint further alleges that Tiwari amassed nearly Rs 25 crore through illegal activities and owned properties and assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
On Monday, the CID conducted searches at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad as part of the ongoing investigation.
Students continue protest, five begin hunger strike
Meanwhile, the student protest against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations has intensified in Ranchi. Five students have now joined an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where protesters have been staging a sit-in since July 29.
The protesters also planned a tribute march on the death anniversary of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren.
One protester said, “Today is the death anniversary of Dishom Guru. Following in the footsteps of our source of inspiration, we are here today. We are going to hold a tribute march for Dishom Guru.”
He added, “Starting today, five of our comrades are on a hunger strike. The Chief Minister should take a strong decision. Our fight is not with the Chief Minister or any political party. Our fight is with the rotten system. We also assure that this platform will not become a platform for any political party.”
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who began his indefinite hunger strike on Sunday, said the movement was aimed at protecting the future of students.
“This struggle, which began on July 5 and the day-and-night satyagraha since July 25, has reached a difficult stage. There is weakness in the body, but the resolve to deliver justice to students is stronger than ever before,” Mahato wrote on social media.
He added, “This fight is not for any one individual, but for the future of millions of hardworking youth in Jharkhand. Hunger can weaken the body, but not the voice raised for justice.”
The protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, an independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), scrutiny of examinations conducted through TDPL, transparent recruitment processes, and strict action against those found responsible.
Government promises strict action
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Manoj Pandey said the Hemant Soren government would act firmly against anyone found guilty.
“Whoever is involved, whether an individual, official or employee, will face the strictest possible action. Whoever did this will not be spared,” Pandey said.
Responding to demands for a CBI probe, he said, “Our state’s agency is a competent agency with clean intentions. We want justice for the students. Hemant Soren and the Jharkhand government will ensure they get justice.”
The students’ agitation has also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA), which has announced a march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 7 over the alleged recruitment exam irregularities.
