Chandigarh police to probe HCS-judicial paper leak

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday sought names of senior officers from Chandigarh administration for the special investigation team (SIT) to be constituted to probe the question paper leak in the Haryana Civil Service (judicial) examination.

The high court full bench comprising justice Rajesh Bindal, justice Rajan Gupta and justice GS Sandhawalia also ordered suspension of Dr Balwinder Kumar Sharma, registrar (recruitment), whose name had figured in paper leak case.

Earlier this week, a high court committee which conducted the probe, had found that the paper was leaked and recommended registration of first information report (FIR) against two candidates and Balwinder Sharma.

The examination for the posts of 109 officers was conducted on July 16 and scrapped by the high court on Thursday. Fresh dates for the exam are yet to be announced.

During the hearing on Friday, the HC accepted submission of the court administration that due to seriousness of the case, a SIT be constituted and FIR be registered in Chandigarh since the alleged transaction took place in Sector-17 at Chandigarh.

The HC bench also asked Chandigarh DGP TS Luthra to remain present on September 18 for the hearing to assist the court in the case.

The matter reached the high court last month through a petition of Suman, a Pinjore resident, who had sought a CBI probe alleging that the paper leak was a “package deal” offered by those involved, to some candidates.

BALWINDER INVOLVED IN PAPER FINALISATION

Balwinder was part of the examination exercise from the beginning of the process in May and was having custody of the question papers from the time of their setting till their distribution for the examination. The master copy of question papers and the pen drive with answer key remained in the custody of Balwinder till July 17, a day after the exam.

The question papers were printed, packed and locked in trunks in the presence of judges of recruitment committee. The keys of trunks containing question papers and the printing room were also with him.

The report concluded that from the conversation between Sushila, named as one of the culprits, and Suman, the complainant, it could be concluded that Sushila had a copy of the paper. Suman had supplied four audio clips of the conversation between her and Suhsila before the exam, wherein Sushila was trying to strike a deal with Suman.

The committee concluded that Sushila and her alleged co-conspirator Sunita were average students, who had not qualified any judicial exam in the past, but topped this exam. They were also average students at the Chandigarh-based coaching academy.

Balwinder denied that he knew Sunita, but 760 calls were exchanged between them. He did not have any explanation to offer about these calls.

MADE A SCAPEGOAT, SAYS BALWINDER

Balwinder told the panel that he was being made a scapegoat to save “someone”. But the committee recorded that he could not explain who is making him scapegoat and to save whom.

HOW SCANDAL CAME TO LIGHT

Sushila and Suman were students at a coaching centre in Chandigarh. While sharing videos of classes, Sushila accidently shared an audio clip in which she is talking to some girl sharing about the Rs 1.5 crore offer for selection. When Sushila was questioned by Suman, she gave similar offer to Suman as well but Suman started recording the conversation.

HIGH COURT ORDERS SUSPENSION OF BALWINDER KUMAR SHARMA, REGISTRAR (RECRUITMENT), WHOSE NAME HAS FIGURED IN THE CASE