- The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected the bail application of retired IAS officer Janak Kumar Dhruv, stating that leaking question papers for competitive examinations is more heinous than murder as it jeopardizes the future of lakhs of students.
- The court's decision came after the CBI filed a chargesheet alleging that 42 questions from a booklet recovered from Dhruv's residence matched the 2021 Main examination paper.
- The court emphasized that the actions of the accused, including Dhruv, are a clear example of 'fence eating the crop', indicating a serious breach of trust.
- Janak Kumar Dhruv was arrested by the CBI in September last year for his involvement in the CGPSC 2021 examination irregularities.
- The CBI alleges that Dhruv, while serving as the secretary of the CGPSC, facilitated the leakage of question papers to benefit his son, Sumit Dhruv, who was selected as a Deputy Collector.
- The court noted that the prosecution has collected material indicating Dhruv's involvement in the alleged conspiracy, including witness statements and recoveries from his residence.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has firmly rejected the bail application of Janak Kumar Dhruv, a retired IAS officer implicated in the CGPSC recruitment scam. The court characterized the act of leaking examination papers as 'more heinous than murder,' highlighting its detrimental impact on the futures of countless students.12
The court's ruling emphasized that such actions compromise the integrity of competitive examinations, affecting not just individuals but society at large. Justice Bibhu Datta Guru stated, 'A person who facilitates leakage of question papers plays with the careers of lakhs of young aspirants... Such an act is more heinous than murder.'
The case involves allegations of corruption and manipulation during the CGPSC State Service Examinations of 2021 and 2022, where relatives of influential individuals were allegedly favored. Dhruv, who served as the secretary of the CGPSC, is accused of aiding his son, Sumit Dhruv, in securing a position as a Deputy Collector through illicit means.6
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claims that Dhruv breached confidentiality protocols, providing his son with access to exam materials. The court noted that evidence, including witness statements and recoveries from Dhruv's residence, suggests his involvement in a broader conspiracy.
The court's decision reflects a growing intolerance for corruption in public service recruitment, reinforcing the notion that such breaches of trust have far-reaching consequences for society.
“The court's single-judge bench, led by Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, called the accused's actions a 'clear example of fence eating the crop.' The CBI alleged that 42 questions from a booklet recovered from Dhruv's residence matched the 2021 Main examination paper, and his son Sumit was selected as Deputy Collector.”
