3 weeks ago
ED files ECIR to probe Jharkhand JPSC exam financial irregularities
People in the Indian state of Jharkhand believe there may have been cheating in a big government job exam.
The exam is called the 14th Preliminary Examination and is run by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission.
Many students were upset and asked the government to investigate and fix the exam system.
A police group called the Crime Investigation Department already started looking into the case.
Now, the Enforcement Directorate has also joined to check whether money was secretly paid or moved in connection with the cheating.
Nineteen people have already been arrested.
The government agreed to cancel the Preliminary Test, but students still want a bigger investigation led by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Three members of the commission also resigned from their jobs.
The Enforcement Directorate will look at bank records and financial documents to find out who was involved.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to probe the financial aspects of alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.
The ECIR is based on an FIR lodged by the CID, and a five-member ED team from Ranchi — one Assistant Director and four inspectors — will probe the money trail, sources of funds and movement of money.
Nineteen arrests have already been made in the case, and three JPSC members — Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed — resigned from their posts.
The Jharkhand government agreed on Sunday to cancel the JPSC Preliminary Test after student protests, but students remained firm on their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The CID is also examining how TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), a Lucknow-based company engaged to conduct examinations, was empanelled; TDPL was reportedly blacklisted by the JSSC in May 2025.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured protesters that 'justice will be delivered with full transparency' amid the ongoing developments.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which registered the ECIR; the Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID), which lodged the FIR; the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC); protesting students; Chief Minister Hemant Soren; and three JPSC members who resigned.
- What
- The ED registered an ECIR under the PMLA to investigate suspected financial transactions and a possible money trail linked to alleged irregularities in the JPSC 14th Preliminary Examination and other examinations.
- Where
- Jharkhand, India — the ED probe team is from Ranchi, the report is datelined New Delhi, and the exam-conducting company TDPL is based in Lucknow.
- When
- The ECIR was registered on Monday; the Jharkhand government agreed on Sunday to cancel the JPSC Preliminary Test after discussions with protesting students.
- Why
- To ascertain whether money changed hands in connection with the alleged examination irregularities, identify the individuals involved, and determine the nature of their alleged roles.
Students and Protesters
State Government and JPSC
Investigation Agency
Students and Protesters
Students demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities and say their agitation will continue until the demand is met.
State Government and JPSC
The state government and agencies are proceeding with the existing CID investigation, with the Enforcement Directorate now examining the financial aspects of the case.
Handling of the Examination
Students and Protesters
Students demand cancellation of examinations suspected of being affected by irregularities, along with reforms in the examination system.
State Government and JPSC
The government agreed to cancel the JPSC Preliminary Test and says several student demands were agreed to, though the talks did not reach a final resolution.
Key facts
- Agencies involved
- Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID)
- Case document
- Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the PMLA
- Basis of ECIR
- FIR lodged by the Crime Investigation Department (CID)
- Exam under scrutiny
- JPSC 14th Preliminary Examination and other examinations
- ED team
- Five members from Ranchi — one Assistant Director and four inspectors
- Arrests so far
- 19
- Government action
- Agreed to cancel the JPSC Preliminary Test (JPSC-PT)
- Student demand
- CBI probe into alleged irregularities; agitation to continue
Quotes
Chief Minister Hemant Soren
Jharkhand state chief minister
“justice will be delivered with full transparency”
theprint.in
Sources
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