Former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte Arrested By CID Amid Intense Student Protests In Ranchi

In a major development that has sent shockwaves through the administrative corridors of Jharkhand, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested the former Chairman of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), L. Khiangte. This high-profile arrest took place on Monday against the backdrop of escalating student unrest in the state capital, Ranchi. The CID team took this decisive step after conducting multiple rounds of questioning with the former official. It's reported that the agency had interrogated Khiangte four times prior to his formal arrest, seeking clarifications on various irregularities that surfaced during his tenure at the commission.

The Allegations and the Basis of Arrest

The arrest of L. Khiangte is linked to serious allegations of corruption and procedural lapses during his time as the head of the JPSC. Specifically, he's accused of allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for awarding contracts to a blacklisted agency known as TDPL. The investigation gained significant momentum following the interrogation of another accused individual, Abhay Tiwari, who was previously arrested by the CID. Information provided by Tiwari during his custodial questioning reportedly provided the necessary leads for the CID to move against the former chairman. The case involves deep-seated irregularities, including the alleged tampering of OMR sheets and a suspected nexus with the examination mafia operating in the region.

Background and Resignation of L. Khiangte

L. Khiangte is a senior retired IAS officer of the 1988 batch from the Jharkhand cadre. Before his appointment as the JPSC Chairman, he had served in several high-ranking positions, including the prestigious post of Chief Secretary of the state, while his tenure at the JPSC came to an abrupt end last month when he resigned from his post on July 22. His resignation coincided with CID raids and growing allegations of OMR sheet manipulation. The investigation into the Jharkhand examination paper rigging case has been extensive, with approximately 19 individuals arrested so far, including an accountant from an examination conducting agency.

Escalation of Student Protests in Ranchi

The arrest of the former chairman occurred on the 17th day of a continuous protest by students in Jharkhand. On Monday, the agitation reached a boiling point as hundreds of students marched towards the State Assembly. To maintain law and order and prevent the protesters from breaching security perimeters, the police initially deployed water cannons. When the situation intensified, the police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Also, tear gas shells were fired at the demonstrating students, while despite the use of force, the students remained steadfast in their protest, leading to a tense standoff between the youth and the security forces.

Core Demands of the Protesting Students

The protesting students have put forward a set of specific demands to the state government. Their primary demand is the immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination due to the alleged scams. They're also calling for comprehensive reforms in the examination conducting agencies to ensure transparency and merit-based selections in the future. Crucially, the students are demanding a thorough investigation into the entire scam by central agencies, specifically the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike for the past 15 days to press for these demands. The students had announced a plan to surround the assembly on 10 occasions, which eventually led to the violent clashes with the police on Monday.