CBI raids house of Khalid Jahangir, former JKSSC chairman, 35 others in SI recruitment scam case

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said a gang domiciled in Harayana is involved in the sub-inspector recruitment scam of Jammu Kashmir.

An official of the CBI told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that searches were conducted at 36 locations including Jammu, Srinagar in J&K; Karnal, Mahendergarh, Rewari in Haryana; Gandhidham in Gujarat; Delhi; Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and Bangalore in Karnataka as part of Investigation in the scam.

The premises of former chairman, JKSSB, then controller of examination of JKSSB, gang members domiciled in Haryana, certain teachers, some serving/retired officials of J&K Police including a DSP and CRPF were searched in an on-going investigation, “he said, adding that incriminating documents and digital evidence have so far been recovered during searches.

CBI had registered a case on 03.08.2022 on the request of J&K Government against 33 accused including then Medical Officer, BSF Frontier Hqrs, 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 27.03.2022.

The results were declared on 04.06.2022. There were allegations regarding malpractices in the examination. The J&K admin had constituted an Inquiry Committee to look into the same.

It was alleged that the accused entered conspiracy amongst officials of JKSSB, Bengaluru based private company, beneficiary candidates & others, and caused gross irregularities in conduct of written examination for the posts of Sub-Inspectors. It was further alleged that there was abnormally high percentage of selected candidates from Jammu, Rajouri & Samba districts. Violation of rules by JKSSB was allegedly found in assigning the task of setting question paper to Bengaluru based private company.

Searches were earlier conducted on 05.08.2022 at 30 locations including at Jammu, Srinagar, Bengaluru etc. at the premises of accused.

Investigation has revealed 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. “In this regard, involvement of a gang domiciled in Haryana, certain teachers of J&K, some serving/retired personnel of CRPF, J&K Police and JKSSB has allegedly come to light, “the CBI official said—(KNO)