Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Former Election Commissioner Testifies in 17-Year-Old Case
A former Election Commissioner was called to testify in a court in Patna about a letter he signed 17 years ago.
The letter was about giving permission to prosecute an Inspector General of the Central Reserve Police Force for a recruitment scam.
The Home Minister at that time wanted to fix accountability and improve the recruitment process.
The Commissioner thought it was silly to testify about something that could be checked in government records.
He also asked to testify via video conference, but he got no response.
The court was chaotic, with people and vehicles stuck in a mess.
The Commissioner testified quickly and was done in five minutes.
Later, the defense lawyer asked silly questions, and the judge ended the cross-examination.
The Commissioner signed his statement and left.
The case made him think about whether the law is really fair, as Charles Dickens once said.
Former Election Commissioner testifies in a 17-year-old recruitment scam case in Patna Court.
The case involves a letter signed in 2009 permitting the prosecution of an Inspector General of the Central Reserve Police Force.
The Home Minister at the time sought to enforce accountability and reform the recruitment process.
The Commissioner found the summons absurd and requested a video conference, but received no response.
The courtroom was chaotic, with long waits and inefficient procedures, and the cross-examination was brief and inconsequential.
- Who
- Former Election Commissioner and Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force
- What
- Testimony in a 17-year-old recruitment scam case
- When
- April 2009 (letter signed), 17 years later (testimony)
- Where
- Patna Court
- Why
- To enforce accountability and revamp the recruitment system
Prosecution
Defense
Admissibility of Evidence
Prosecution
The prosecution argues that only material obtained during investigation after registering an FIR is admissible evidence.
Defense
The defense lawyer questioned the validity of the permission letter and the process of considering the matter.
- Case Duration
- 17 years
- Witness Number
- 58th out of 200+
- Location
- Patna Court
- Original Crime
- Recruitment scam in Central Reserve Police Force
- Reform Implemented
- OMR-based test for constables, abolition of interviews, stricter physical eligibility test