Jharkhand LoP blames Soren-led government. the protection of influential people amid a CID investigation into “irregularities” in exams
Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Legislative Assembly and BJP leader Babulal Marandi. File | Photo credit: PTI
Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday (September 13, 2026) claimed cover and protection of influential persons in the ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations of Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Mr. Marandi also questioned the lack of video footage during the statement recording process. He added that the direction of the probe suggests an exercise aimed solely at suppressing the truth and protecting the “big fish”.
In a post on X, Mr Marandi said there were complaints confirming earlier concerns. He noted that when those detained or questioned in the case reveal details regarding bribery transactions and the involvement of high-ranking politicians, officials or their intermediaries, those specific parts are omitted from their recorded statements.
He mentioned that some junior officials involved in the investigation — on condition of anonymity — reported that their senior department officials pressured them not to put such statements into the official record.
“If these complaints are true, this represents a serious matter of suppressing the truth and protecting powerful people under the guise of an investigation,” he wrote.
Mr Marandi argued that the process of recording statements in such a sensitive case should be videotaped and the original recordings preserved without any manipulation, trimming or editing to ensure that no official can change – or cause to change – someone’s statement for their own convenience.
“However, according to the complaints received, this is not happening. Why is there such a concern to remove a prominent name from the record the moment it is mentioned? Is the investigation being conducted to reveal the truth or to protect some individuals?” Marandi asked.
He further added that serious allegations had surfaced earlier regarding the role of former Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta.
“He is involved in scandalous misdeeds – specifically mishandling investigations, destroying evidence and denying the existence of a recruitment scam. The shift in the CID’s stance following the student and unemployed protest has deepened these issues,” said Mr. Marandi said.
The former chief minister also said, “Now, with regard to the CID investigation led by another tainted officer, Manoj Kaushik, there are complaints that ‘small fish’ are being made scapegoats to protect ‘big fish’. These complaints need to be addressed with impartiality and preservation of evidence. Merely showing low-level arrestees will not go awry.”
The seven-member team investigating the alleged irregularities in the JPSS and JSSC recruitment examinations is headed by senior IPS officer of ADG rank Mr. Kaushik.
Mr. Marandi warned the investigating officer and said that if there is any game going on to eliminate names from statements, delete digital evidence or coerce individuals to give false statements, it must stop immediately.
He added that there is also advice for the next generation of officers: “don’t put your service, reputation and conscience on the line just to curry favor with the authorities.
He also urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren not to force students and the unemployed to take to the streets again. He called for an immediate recommendation for a CBI investigation and insisted that measures be taken to secure and preserve all original statements, video recordings and digital evidence.
Published – 14 Sep 2026 05:12 IST