Raipur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its crackdown on the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scam, arresting five more individuals — including a retired IAS officer, senior CGPSC officials, and their relatives — in what is emerging as one of the most brazen public service recruitment frauds in recent Indian history.
Among those arrested are Aarti Wasnik, former Controller of Examinations; Jeevanlal Dhruv, a retired IAS officer and former Secretary of the CGPSC; his son Sumit Dhruv; Nisha Kosle, daughter-in-law of the then-Chairman; and Deepa Adil, another daughter-in-law who served as District Excise Officer.
CBI Tightens Net: 12+ Arrests So Far in Multi-Crore Recruitment Fraud
The latest arrests come after an extensive probe into recruitment processes for the 2020 to 2022 CGPSC examinations, during which 170 candidates were selected from over 129,000 applicants. Allegations suggest widespread manipulation of exam results, interviews, and final selection lists to favour relatives of senior officials and politicians.
The CBI produced all five newly arrested individuals before a special court. Earlier, the central agency had arrested former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, Deputy Controller of Examinations Lalit Ganvir, and multiple selected candidates, including Shashank Goyal, Bhumika Katiyar, and Sahil Sonwani.
All are currently in judicial custody.
The Scam: Bribes, Nepotism, and Rigged Exams
The FIR filed by the CBI outlines a calculated conspiracy involving the manipulation of the CGPSC recruitment process to favour the sons, daughters, and relatives of influential figures.
Key highlights from the FIR:
Bribe of ₹4.5 million allegedly paid by Shravan Kumar Goyal (ex-Director, Bajrang Power & Ispat) to the then-Chairman to secure his son and daughter-in-law’s selection as Deputy Collectors.
Exam and interview rigging in favour of relatives of officials.
Bribes were reportedly routed via the Rural Development Committee.
“Family First” Recruitment: Who Benefited?
According to the investigation, several family members of then-Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani and Secretary Jeevan Kishore Dhruv were illegally appointed to top posts:
- Nitesh Sonwani (son) – Deputy Collector
- Sahil Sonwani (brother’s son) – DSP
- Sunita Joshi (sister’s daughter) – Labour Officer
- Nisha Kosle (daughter-in-law) – Deputy Collector
- Deepa Adil (brother’s daughter-in-law) – District Excise Officer
- Sumit Dhruv (Secretary’s son) – Deputy Collector
Scam Triggered After 48 Complaints and Political Pressure
The scam came to light after 48 formal complaints were submitted to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Secretary during the Congress government’s tenure. It became a flashpoint in the 2023 Assembly Elections, with widespread protests by students and job aspirants.
Senior BJP leader Nankiram Kanwar filed a written complaint, leading to state-level inquiry. After the BJP formed the government in 2024, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai transferred the case to the CBI on January 3, 2024.
PM Modi and BJP Leaders Had Promised CBI Probe
During the election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other top BJP leaders promised swift action and a CBI inquiry into the alleged fraud. The BJP, which won the 2023 elections on an anti-corruption plank, delivered on this promise by ordering the probe soon after assuming office.
Legal Action Underway: Charges Filed Under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act
The CBI has registered the case under multiple sections:
Indian Penal Code (IPC):
- Section 120B – Criminal conspiracy
- Section 420 – Cheating
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended 2018):
- Section 7 – Public servant taking undue advantage
- Section 7A – Taking gratification to influence public servant
- Section 12 – Abetment
More arrests are likely as the investigation continues.
