36 places raided across India; Haryana domiciled gang involved in scam: CBI
Intensifying probe in the infamous Jammu and Kashmir Sub Inspector exam, the sleuths of Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) conducted raids on 36 locations across country including the residence of former chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) and claimed that some aspirants had allegedly coughed up Rs.20-30 lakh for accessing the question paper before the examination.
Sources privy with the probe informed The News Now, that the searches were conducted at 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.
“The premises of 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 were searched in an on-going investigation, ” the CBI official said, adding , “ Incriminating documents and digital evidences have so far been recovered during searches”.
He further said that during preliminary investigation it has been surfaced that a gang of Haryana domiciled is involved in the scam.
Meanwhile, sharing details, official sources said that fourteen officers including retired and serving are in the CBI net in J&K.
These officers include Khalid Jahangir, former Chairman and Ashok Kumar, controller JKSSB,K.D Bhagat, DySP DAR Jammu, Vijay Kumar, PRO to ex Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Raman Sharma, constable JKAP, Kewal Krishan alias Vicky, constable JKAP, Sunil Pangotra, constable posted at District Police
Line, Jammu, Amit Sharma, Pawan Kumar and Sunil Sharma, all are CRPF personnel, Jagdish Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and Throu Ram, all are residents of Akhnoor. The CBI conducted raids at their residences and seized their bank related documents, property details, Laptop, Mobile Phones and other related records for scrutiny.
CBI had registered a case on 03.08.2022 on the request of J&K Government against 33 accused including then Medical Officer, BSF Frontier Hqrs, 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 27.03.2022. The results were declared on 04.06.2022. There were allegations regarding malpractices in the examination. The J&K Govt had constituted an Inquiry Committee to look into the same.
It was alleged that the accused entered a conspiracy amongst officials of JKSSB, Bengaluru based private company, beneficiary candidates & others, and caused gross irregularities in 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 & Samba districts. Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting the question paper to a Bengaluru based private company.
Searches were earlier conducted on 05.08.2022 at 30 locations including at Jammu, Srinagar, Bengaluru etc. at the premises of the accused.
Investigation has revealed 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 commencement of the examination. “In this regard, involvement of a gang domiciled in Haryana, certain teachers of J&K, some serving/retired personnel of CRPF, J&K Police and JKSSB has allegedly come to light, “the CBI official said.
