Public Service Commission chief sacked in Raipur

Darbari was suspended for his alleged involvement in irregularities committed during examinations held in Nov 2005.

Chhattisgarh Governor KM Seth has suspended State Public Service Commission Chairman Ashok Darbari, bringing the curtain down on a long-drawn battle between the official and the state government.

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Darbari, the seniormost Indian Police Service officer in Chhattisgarh and a former state police chief, was suspended late on Monday.

Commission member Khelanram Jangre has been appointed acting chairman.

Darbari was appointed chairman in October 2004. Several commission members and student organisations had been demanding his removal for his alleged involvement in irregularities committed during examinations held in November 2005.

Cadres of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) student wing Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and opposition Congress party's National Students' Union of India (NSUI) burst crackers in Raipur on Tuesday morning to celebrate Darbari's suspension.

Earlier in 2006, the Chhattisgarh government had recommended to the governor that Darbari be removed to "restore the image of the commission", as several candidates were reportedly declared qualified for its main exam when they did not even sit for the preliminary test in November 2005.