3 weeks ago
Ex-JPSC Chairman L Khiangte Arrested in Exam Irregularities, Bribery Case
This story is about tests people take in Jharkhand, a state in India, to get important government jobs.
These tests are organized by a group called the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, or JPSC.
Police believe the man who used to lead that group, L. Khiangte, was not being fair.
They say a company named TDPL secretly gave him a very large amount of money, around 2 crore rupees, to get the job of running the exam.
That company had earlier been told it could not work on government tests because of past problems.
Even so, it got the contract without other companies being allowed to compete for it.
Khiangte says the Commission did not know the company was in trouble, and that it was just a mistake.
Police arrested him along with 18 other people connected to the case.
Students who care about fairness in these exams have been protesting in the city of Ranchi for more than two weeks.
When they marched to the state assembly, police used water cannons and tear gas, and the assembly was closed for the day.
The CID arrested former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte on Monday over alleged bribery and procedure violations in the JPSC's 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination.
Investigators allege Khiangte accepted a bribe of around Rs 2 crore and a 20 percent commission from TDPL to award the exam contract.
TDPL, a Lucknow-based agency blacklisted by JSSC on May 20, 2025, allegedly got the contract on a nomination basis despite a written objection from the then Controller of Examinations.
Khiangte claimed the Commission was unaware of TDPL's blacklisted status and called the lapse an administrative oversight.
Students protesting for over two weeks marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly; police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge, and the Assembly was adjourned for the day.
- Who
- L. Khiangte, former JPSC chairman, retired IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre and former state chief secretary, arrested by the Jharkhand CID.
- What
- Arrest in a probe into alleged bribery and procedural violations in awarding the JPSC 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination contract to TDPL.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand; the CID also raided his residence and the JPSC office and sealed TDPL offices in Ranchi and Lucknow.
- When
- Monday, with the students' agitation in its 17th day; Khiangte resigned as JPSC chairman on July 22 and was questioned for over 30 hours across four sessions before his arrest.
- Why
- CID alleges Khiangte accepted a bribe of around Rs 2 crore and a 20 percent commission from TDPL to award the contract.
CID / Prosecution
Khiangte / Defense
Bribery allegation
CID / Prosecution
CID says incriminating evidence shows Khiangte demanded and accepted a bribe of around Rs 2 crore and a 20 percent commission from TDPL to award the exam contract.
Khiangte / Defense
Khiangte says the Commission was unaware of TDPL's blacklisted status and attributes the lapse to administrative oversight.
Contract awarding process
CID / Prosecution
Investigators say rules were bypassed: the contract was awarded on a nomination basis without an open tender despite a written objection from the then Controller of Examinations.
Khiangte / Defense
Khiangte maintains the decision was not intentional wrongdoing but an administrative mistake.
Key facts
- Arrested
- L. Khiangte, former JPSC chairman and retired IAS officer
- Allegation
- Bribe of around Rs 2 crore plus a 20% commission from TDPL
- Company involved
- TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), Lucknow-based agency
- Blacklisting
- TDPL blacklisted and de-listed by JSSC on May 20, 2025
- Contract method
- Awarded on a nomination basis without an open tender
- Questioning
- Over 30 hours across four sessions before arrest
- Total arrests
- 19 accused, including Abhay Kumar Tiwari, Ramvir Singh, Shweta Kumari Gupta and Dharmender Kumar
- Student demands
- Cancellation of TDPL-conducted exams and a CBI probe, called on the Hemant Soren-led government; police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge at the Assembly march
Quotes
Jharkhand Police officer
Police officer reporting on Khiangte’s arrest
“The matter is under investigation. The company was awarded a work order based on the terms and conditions which amount to offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act”
theprint.in
“He has been arrested, and there is clear incriminating evidence suggesting demand of bribe from the company in question, TDPL”
theprint.in
Sources
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