The controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission examinations has now reached the highest court of the country. A significant hearing took place in the Supreme Court on Monday, during which the bench issued formal notices to the Jharkhand government and the Central Bureau of Investigation, demanding their official responses. The proceedings were overseen by a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant, reflecting the gravity of the legal challenge brought before the judiciary.
During the court proceedings, senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra presented the case on behalf of the petitioner, Harishharan Devgan. The petition specifically targets the JPSC civil services preliminary examination held on 19 April 2026, demanding its complete cancellation. Furthermore, the petitioner has urged the apex court to direct authorities to conduct a fresh examination from scratch and to order a thorough, independent investigation into the alleged malpractices through the CBI or a dedicated Special Investigation Team.
As arguments unfolded, the bench inquired whether the grievances raised by aspirants extended beyond a single examination format. The legal counsel clarified that the disputes encompass multiple recruitment bodies, pointing to separate issues concerning both the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. The discussion also briefly touched upon judicial service examinations, with the CJI questioning whether these specialized tests fall under the purview of the public service commission, noting that the court would examine how these administrative tests are structured and conducted.
The petitioner's counsel emphasized the necessity of an independent external investigation, even proposing oversight by a former judge. Addressing this, CJI Surya Kant observed that the matter goes beyond routine inquiries and might necessitate specialized investigative techniques, including forensic analysis to uncover the truth. Following these deliberations, the court formally issued the notice, which was promptly accepted by the counsel representing the Jharkhand government. The bench also instructed that a quick date be fixed for the next phase of hearings.
Legal observers note that this specific petition was filed before the state government officially announced its decision to cancel the disputed examinations. With ground realities shifting, the Supreme Court now faces the task of determining whether further judicial intervention remains necessary under the altered circumstances. Meanwhile, the legal landscape in the state was already charged following a Jharkhand High Court order from 20 August, which stayed the state administration's move to scrap appointments made through prior JPSC recruitment drives. With student agitation continuing unabated across the region, all eyes remain fixed on the Supreme Court as the next crucial hearings approach.
