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The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the State of Jharkhand and the Jharkhand Public Service Commission on a writ petition seeking an independent, time-bound investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) into the alleged malpractices in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a petition filed by activist Harisharan Devgan.

Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Misha, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the students have been protesting for over a month against the exam malpractices. Though the State cancelled the exams, the High Court immediately stayed the decision, with the State "indirectly" supporting the challenge, Mishra contended.

Mishra submitted that the investigation be either handed over to the CBI or to a retired Supreme Court Judge. CJI Surya Kant replied that a former Judge cannot be asked to handle the investigation.

The CJI also asked if the judicial recruitment exams are also conducted by the State PSC, to which Mishra replied in the affirmative.

The petition, filed through Advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, has sought the transfer of the investigation from the State to the CBI to ensure an impartial probe into the public officials and examination agencies. The probe has been sought in light of the plea that the State's cancellation of the examination doesn't eliminate the need to uncover the "systematic corruption".

Other prayers sought are that the physical and digital evidence must be secured, including original and candidate-held OMR carbon copies, CCTV footage, and server audit logs, to prevent tampering.

 

Case Details: Harisharan Devgan vs. UOI & Ors|WP (C) No. 1047/2026 

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