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Bihar job exam cancelled over question paper leak, BSSC secretary arrested
The examination was being conducted in four phases to recruit clerks in state government departments across Bihar. About 95,000 candidates had taken the examination at 750 centres across the state in the second phase held on February 5.
The government on Wednesday cancelled the inter-level examination conducted by Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) after the special investigation team, constituted to probe allegations of question paper leak, submitted the report to the to the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP).
The examination was being conducted in four phases to recruit clerks in state government departments across Bihar. About 95000 candidates had taken the examination at 750 centres across the state in the second phase held on last Sunday.The first phase was held on January 29.
Chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said the examination of all four phases would be conducted afresh. The dates would be announced later, he said.
The decision to cancel the examination was taken after approval from chief minister Nitish Kumar.
Earlier in the day, BSSC secretary Parmeshwar Ram was arrested in connection with the alleged leak of question papers ahead of second phase examination. Ram was quizzed and his house searched by the special investigating team (SIT) on Tuesday.
Confirming the arrest of Ram and BSSC data entry operator Avinash Kumar, Patna zone inspector general (IG) NH Khan said both were being forwarded to jail. “Prima facie their role has been established and efforts will be made to take them on remand,” said Khan.
Sources said the initial SIT investigation pointed to involvement of the BSSC at some key levels, as all arrangements to answer questions seemed to be in place at two places in Patna and Nawada, from where police recovered sophisticated gadgets and found evidence of solved questions on WhatsApp messenger.
The investigation in the case gathered momentum after the chief minister on Tuesday said the probe would be taken to its logical end.
The chief minister had ordered the chief secretary and DGP PK Thakur to probe the allegations despite constant denial by BSSC top brass.
A senior police officer said question papers would not have been leaked without the connivance of BSSC officials. “This is the reason why police conducted raids at the residence of the BSSC secretary and interrogated him,” he said.
