The Rajasthan police's Special Operations Group (SOG) has uncovered a second major paper leak scandal involving the Junior Engineer (JEN) Combined Recruitment Examination, casting a shadow over the state's recruitment processes. This revelation comes after the initial 2020 exam was scrapped due to similar malpractice, with the retest conducted in September 2021 now also found to be compromised.
SOG Investigation Uncovers Widespread Malpractice
On Thursday, the SOG disclosed that it has been unraveling a complex web of malpractice surrounding the JEN exam process. The group had registered a First Information Report (FIR) on January 19, leading to a thorough investigation that exposed the depth of the corruption.
Arrest of Assistant Engineer Ganpat Lal Bishnoi
The probe resulted in the arrest of Ganpat Lal Bishnoi, an assistant engineer currently posted with the Public Works Department (PWD) in Barmer. Bishnoi, a resident of Jalore district, is alleged to have passed the 2021 retest by using a leaked question paper, securing an impressive 12th rank in the examination. Following his success, he was promoted within the department.
Investigators believe Bishnoi played a pivotal role in the paper leak racket, not just as a beneficiary but as an active participant in the organized crime network. This arrest highlights the infiltration of corruption into the recruitment system, raising serious questions about the integrity of the selection process.
History of Compromised Examinations
SOG's Additional Director General Vishal Bansal provided context to the ongoing scandal. The initial FIR was filed following the compromised 2020 exam, which was originally conducted in December and subsequently cancelled due to a paper leak. That investigation led to the arrests of several suspects, but the new probe has revealed that the retest was similarly tainted.
Organized Crime Network's Persistent Operations
According to SOG officials, it has now become apparent that the same organized crime network responsible for the original 2020 leak was actively operating during the September 2021 retest. This indicates a systemic failure in securing the examination process, allowing criminal elements to repeatedly exploit vulnerabilities.
During the 2020 exam, numerous candidates allegedly benefited from the organized paper leak mafia. Many of these individuals were selected and have since been promoted to positions as assistant engineers (AENs), further complicating the situation and potentially affecting public works projects across Rajasthan.
Implications for Recruitment and Governance
The recurrence of paper leaks in such a high-stakes recruitment examination underscores significant challenges in maintaining transparency and fairness in government hiring. The involvement of a serving assistant engineer like Bishnoi suggests that the malpractice may extend beyond external actors to include insiders within the system.
This scandal not only jeopardizes the careers of honest candidates but also erodes public trust in state recruitment mechanisms. The SOG's ongoing investigation aims to identify all individuals involved in the racket, from those who leaked the papers to the candidates who unfairly benefited.
As the probe continues, authorities are expected to implement stricter measures to prevent future breaches, but the damage to the credibility of the JEN examination process may take years to repair. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust anti-corruption frameworks in public sector recruitment.
