SI Job Scam: CBI arrests BSF Commandant

SRINAGAR — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Commandant (Medical), Border Security Force, posted at Paloura, Jammu in connection with the recent Police Sub-Inspector recruitment scam in J&K. This is the ninth arrest effected by the premier investigation agency so far in the case, officials told the news agency GNS.

CBI had registered a case on August 3 on the request of &K Government against 33 accused including the then Medical Officer, BSF Frontier Headquarters, Paloura; then Member, JKSSB; then Under Secretary, then Section Officer (both of JKSSB); Ex-Official of CRPF; ASI of J&K Police; owner of a coaching centre, Akhnoor; private company based at Bengaluru; private persons and unknown others on the allegations of irregularities in written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors in the J&K Police conducted by J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on March 27 this year.

The results were declared on June 4 and there were allegations regarding malpractices in the examination. The J&K Government had constituted an Inquiry Committee to look into the same.

It was alleged that the accused entered into conspiracy amongst officials of JKSSB, a Bengaluru-based private company, beneficiary candidates and others, and caused gross irregularities in the conduct of written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors. It was further alleged that there was an abnormally high percentage of selected candidates from Jammu, Rajouri and Samba districts.

“Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting question paper to Bengaluru based private company,” the CBI said, adding, “Investigation has revealed that the alleged payment of Rs 20 to 30 lakh (approx) by willing candidates and their families to the accused for accessing the question paper before the commencement of the examination.”

It said searches were earlier conducted on August 5 at around 30 locations including at Jammu, Srinagar, Bengaluru; On September 13, 2022 at around 36 locations including at Jammu, Srinagar in J&K; Karnal, Mahendergarh, Rewari in Haryana; Gandhidham in Gujarat; Delhi; Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Bangalore in Karnataka at the premises of accused including former Chairman, JKSSB; then Controller of Examination of JKSSB; Gang members domiciled in Haryana; certain teachers; some serving/retired officials of J&K Police including a DSP and CRPF in an on-going investigation of the case. Incriminating documents and digital evidence recovered during searches were scrutinized, it said.

“It was found during investigation that the accused entered into a conspiracy with touts and arranged leaked question paper for his son through a tout,” the CBI said, adding, “The question paper was allegedly provided in the early morning of 27 March 2022 at a house in Gangyal, Jammu.”

It was also revealed that certain candidates leaked question papers at the residence of the accused just a few hours before the examination, the CBI said.

The statement said, “It was further alleged that the accused manipulated/tampered with the log book of the official vehicle in a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence and was also evasive throughout the investigation.”

CBI had earlier arrested eight accused including a Constable of J&K Police, an official of CRPF, a teacher of J&K Government etc. “Investigation is continuing,” the CBI statement said.