Jammu Fire Station. Image for representation. Photo: home.jk.gov.in/images/firestation.jpg
The J&K Lieutenant Governor’s Administration on Monday (December 15, 2025) terminated the services of 103 personnel of the Fire and Emergency Services Department due to a “compromised recruitment process”.
The decision was taken after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) inquiry committee set up to probe the 2022 recruitment found “widespread manipulation of optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets, fabricated scanned images of answer sheets and illegal manipulation of merit list.”
The investigating agency “has conclusively confirmed manipulation of results in favor of 106 candidates who got marks way beyond what they actually secured, tampering with digital evidence and criminal conspiracy.
“It has been established beyond doubt that the appointment of these 106 candidates was obtained by fraud, criminal means and manipulation of results, rendering their appointment void ab initio,” said the order issued by Chief Secretary to the Government Chandraker Bharti.
The order states that because these 106 individuals secured appointments through fraudulent means prior to entering service, they do not enjoy the protections contemplated by Article 311, which provides an opportunity to be heard.
The appointment of three candidates was canceled by the director of the fire and rescue service due to failure to meet the formal requirements required for appointment to the civil service.
Published – 15 Dec 2025 23:46 IST
