Thousands of candidate aspirants have taken to the streets in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, protesting against widespread alleged malpractices and paper leaks in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission examinations. Protesting students are demanding the immediate cancellation of the Jharkhand Civil Services examination, while talks between student representatives and the Hemant Soren government remain ongoing to resolve the standoff. Amid these widespread demonstrations, the Crime Investigation Department arrested Abhay Tiwari, a Block Supply Officer posted at Poreyahat in Godda district. Tiwari, who maintained a phenomenal track record of clearing multiple competitive examinations over the years, has been dubbed by investigators as Jharkhand's counterpart to Sanjeev Mukhiya, the notorious Bihar paper leak figure who was recently cleared by the CBI in the NEET-UG paper leak case.
Student Protests and the Arrest of a Government Official
Allegations of systemic irregularities during the 14th JPSC examination conducted in April have created significant ripples across the state. The journey of Abhay Kumar Tiwari, serving as Block Supply Officer in Godda district, began with a string of consistent successes in competitive examinations before transforming into an alleged key operative within an examination syndicate. According to CID findings, Tiwari cleared more than a dozen competitive exams over a span of nearly 13 years. Investigators allege that he strategically used this impressive credentials record to establish credibility and gain trust among candidate aspirants looking for guaranteed selection.
Agency Links and Connection to a Blacklisted Firm
Details released by investigating authorities reveal that Tiwari maintained active links with TRS Data Processing Private Limited, a firm involved in conducting the 14th JPSC examination in April. The agency had previously been blacklisted by the Uttar Pradesh government following allegations of severe examination irregularities. CID probes indicate that before entering government service as a Block Supply Officer, Tiwari worked as a marketing manager within the same company. Investigators allege that even after securing his government position, he retained ties with the firm and collaborated with an organized syndicate that promised assured candidate selection in competitive tests.
A 13-Year Track Record of Clearing 12 Competitive Exams
Tiwari accrued a remarkably diverse record of exam successes over thirteen years. CID records show he cleared the Indian Navy Senior Secondary Recruit examination in 2013, followed in 2014 by written examinations for the Assistant post at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre as well as written and typing tests for CRPF Head Constable. In 2018, his successful attempts expanded to include the JSSC Police Sub Inspector exam, IRB Constable exam, Northern Coalfields Limited exam, JSSC Post Graduate Teacher exam, and the JSSC Combined Graduate Level exam. His performance across JPSC examinations was similarly extensive, passing tests for Assistant Conservator of Forests, Forest Range Officer, Food Safety Officer, along with the 11th and 13th Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary examinations. CID officials claim this consistent exam-clearing history served as a facade to cultivate candidate trust.
Syndicate Pricing, 25 Crore Accumulation, and BNS Charges
The registered FIR outlines a structured fee schedule operated by the alleged syndicate. Candidates were asked to pay approximately 5 lakh rupees for the preliminary examination, an advance of at least 10 lakh rupees for the main examination, and 25 lakh rupees for final selection, with total demands reaching between 25 lakh and 40 lakh rupees in specific instances. CID estimates indicate Tiwari generated nearly 25 crore rupees through these illicit activities, pointing to a stark disproportion between his known lawful income and his actual lifestyle, though these claims remain subject to judicial verification in court. Tiwari is among 11 accused arrested so far under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, using forged documents, and criminal conspiracy. As part of the ongoing investigation, search operations were conducted across 18 locations spanning Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, and Dhanbad.
