Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced that retired High Court Justice Rajendra Kumar Verma will investigate allegations of irregularities in the ‘patwari’ (revenue department personnel) recruitment examination.
The exam, held on April 26, had its results declared in May and June, which sparked controversy as the Congress opposition flagged potential foul play.
The allegations were primarily based on the distribution of successful candidates, as seven out of the top ten were from the same test centre in Gwalior, a college managed by a Bharatiya Janata Party legislator. Additionally, the Congress pointed out a high concentration of successful candidates from the Gwalior-Chambal region, further deepening suspicions.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi accused the BJP of tampering with the youths’ future and avoiding a proper investigation into the exam conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board. Protests ensued in Bhopal and Indore following these allegations, amplified by a report on the alleged irregularities by a leading Hindu newspaper. Pending the probe’s completion, Chouhan has placed a hold on the appointments of successful candidates. The inquiry committee’s recommendations are expected by August 31.