Srinagar, Nov 11: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested seven more accused including police and CRPF men in an on-going investigation into sub-inspectors’ recruitment scam in Jammu and Kashmir.
With the arrest of seven persons including Head Constable and Constables of CRPF, ASI of J&K Police and private persons, total number of accused behind the bars has risen to 20.
The CBI had registered the case on 3 August this year on the request of J&K Government against 33 accused including then Medical Officer, BSF Frontier headquarters, Paloura; then Member, JKSSB; then Under Secretary, then Section Officer (both of JKSSB); Ex-Official of CRPF; ASI of J&K Police; Owner of a coaching centre, Akhnoor; private company based at Bengaluru; private persons and unknown others on the allegations of irregularities in written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors in the J&K Police conducted by J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) on March 27. The results were declared on June 4. Amid allegations regarding malpractices in the examination, the J&K government constituted an Inquiry Committee to look into the same.
It was further alleged that there was abnormally high percentage of selected candidates from Jammu, Rajouri and Samba districts. Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting question paper to Bengaluru based private company. “Investigation has revealed that the alleged payment of Rs.20 to 30 lakh (approx) by willing candidates and their families to the accused for accessing the question paper before commencement of the examination,” CBI said.
Searches were earlier conducted at various locations in several States including J&K, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka at the premises of accused(retired & serving officials) and other persons which led to recovery of large number of incriminating documents and digital evidences, the CBI said.
“It was found during investigation that the accused in conspiracy with others including their relatives allegedly leaked the question paper, solicited candidates for sale of leaked question paper, received/collected huge cash around twenty lakh & transferred the same to different bank accounts.” The CBI said that investigation is continuing.