The Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) is facing fresh upheaval, with three of its members resigning amid growing protests and allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of JPSC members Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad on Sunday, according to the Lok Bhavan.
The resignations come at a critical time for the commission, as a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations continues to gather pace.
According to officials, the three members had been summoned by the CID for questioning in connection with the allegations. Bhattacharya, who is the wife of JMM leader Supriyo Bhattacharya, is scheduled to appear before investigators on August 10. Ahmad and Hansda have been summoned for questioning on August 12 and August 14, respectively.
All three members were appointed to the JPSC in September 2021.
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The latest resignations also come less than three weeks after JPSC chairperson L Khiangte stepped down from his post on July 22. Khiangte had said that he resigned voluntarily to ensure that the allegations could be investigated impartially.
The CID has so far arrested 19 people in connection with the alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Investigators have also questioned Khiangte four times since July 28.
The former JPSC chairperson was questioned for nine hours on July 28 and for eight hours each on July 29 and July 31. The questioning followed a CID search at several locations, including his official residence, a day before his resignation.
Khiangte had been appointed JPSC chairperson in February last year, following his retirement as Jharkhand’s chief secretary.
The controversy has also disrupted the commission’s examination schedule. The JPSC postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, which had been scheduled to take place from July 25 to 27, citing “unavoidable circumstances” amid continuing protests.
The latest resignations add another layer to the growing crisis surrounding the state recruitment commission. With the CID investigation still underway, questions remain over the alleged examination irregularities, the role of those already arrested and the impact of the controversy on candidates awaiting the recruitment process.
The developments are being closely watched as authorities continue their investigation and the JPSC faces renewed scrutiny over the conduct and credibility of its examinations.
