Jharkhand protest: CID summons three serving members of JPSC in exam row

Jharkhand State Crime Investigation Department (CID) probing the case of alleged irregularities in competitive exams for government recruitments in the State, has now served notices to three serving members of Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) .

As per the source, the investigating agency has issued summonses to three current JPSC members—Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmed and asked them to appear before the agency on August 10, 12, and 14, respectively.

Also read: Jharkhand Student Protests LIVE updates

According to sources, the investigating agency wants to know on which grounds TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL) —the agency that conducted the examination—was empanelled and selected, despite having been previously blacklisted.

TDPL is a Lucknow based company and was earlier blacklisted by Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) in May 2025 over allegations of irregularities. Despite that, the company continued to conduct exams like JPSC.

CID has already questioned former JPSC chairman L Khyiangte four times as part of its probe, and so far, 19 people have been arrested.

During four rounds of questioning, it was revealed that the signatures of the three members were not obtained before releasing the PT exam results, and Mr. Khyiangte clarified that, as per the rules, the members’ signatures are not required for the PT exam results. Now, the investigating agency wants to know whether the members agreed to this process.

Students demand review of exams conducted through agencies

Among the key demands of the protestors is the cancellation of the Preliminary Test of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, and a review of exams conducted through agencies, including TSR Data Processing Private Limited.

The investigation agency is searching for more details about the monitoring, administrative functioning and data security of JPSC. According to sources, the former president may be summoned for the fifth time after matching the statements with three current members.

Several TDPL employees have been arrested in the case, including TDPL Director Ramveer Singh, Marketing Manager Abhay Tiwari, Accountant Rakshak Singh, and technical programmers Usman and Ebad.

On the JPSC side, Deputy Controller of Examinations Shweta Kumari Gupta, staff member Sonu Kumar, and computer operator Dharmendra Kumar have also been arrested, and interrogation is underway.  

Dharmendra Kumar was questioned for the second consecutive day on Friday (August 7, 2026). The investigating agency is gathering information about his role, responsibilities, and the specific officials whose emails he managed. TDPL accountant Rakshak Singh was also interrogated about contacts with candidates, alleged tampering with OMR sheets, and financial transactions.

Four candidates who passed the exam fraudulently and three middlemen have also been apprehended. The agency expects that new facts may emerge following the interrogation of the three serving members.