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Chhattisgarh High Court denies bail to ex-IAS officer in CGPSC paper leak case

The Chhattisgarh High Court has denied bail to retired IAS officer Jeevan Kishore Dhruv in the alleged CGPSC paper leak case, saying competitive exam paper leaks have a devastating impact on the careers of lakhs of aspirants.

Published

2 months ago

on

paper Leak

The Chhattisgarh High Court has rejected the bail plea of retired IAS officer Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the alleged Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scam.

The court observed that leaking question papers of competitive examinations is “more heinous than murder” because it destroys the careers of lakhs of young aspirants and damages the integrity of the public recruitment process.

High Court cites seriousness of allegations

Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, while rejecting Dhruv’s bail application, noted that the alleged offence had a far-reaching impact on society and could not be treated as an ordinary crime.

The court observed that people involved in leaking competitive examination question papers jeopardise the future of candidates who spend years preparing for government recruitment examinations.

According to the order, the prosecution has, at the prima facie stage, collected material indicating that Dhruv, while serving as Secretary of the CGPSC during the 2020-2022 recruitment process, allegedly retained confidential question papers of the 2021 Main Examination and supplied them to his son.

The High Court also noted that the investigation pointed to the applicant’s alleged involvement through witness statements, documentary evidence and recoveries made during searches.

Considering the gravity of the allegations and their impact on the credibility of the recruitment process, the court said it was not inclined to grant bail.

Defence argues false implication

During the hearing, Dhruv’s counsel argued that the retired IAS officer had been falsely implicated only because he served as the CGPSC Secretary and was not named in the original FIR.

The defence submitted that no incriminating electronic devices or documents, apart from a mobile phone, were recovered from him. It also contended there was no evidence proving that he leaked confidential question papers or shared them with his children.

The counsel further argued that after learning both his sons were candidates in the examination, Dhruv informed the competent CGPSC authorities and requested to be relieved of all confidential work related to the recruitment process. According to the defence, official records showed he was subsequently assigned no confidential examination duties.

The defence also maintained that allegations of favouritism were weakened by the fact that one of Dhruv’s sons failed to qualify, while the other secured a rank below the top position.

CBI opposes bail

Opposing the plea, the CBI argued that the case involved large-scale irregularities that undermined public confidence in the recruitment system.

The agency alleged that Dhruv, along with the then CGPSC chairman, controller of examinations and other accused persons, entered into a criminal conspiracy to leak confidential question papers of the 2021 Main Examination, giving his son an unfair advantage.

According to the CBI, copies of questions and answers related to General Studies Paper VII and the Question-cum-Answer Booklet of the Essay paper were recovered during searches conducted at Dhruv’s residence.

The investigating agency also argued that the retired IAS officer could not claim parity with a co-accused who had received bail from the Supreme Court, as Dhruv was a senior public servant responsible for maintaining the secrecy and integrity of the examination process.

Several others also arrested

Apart from Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, those arrested in the alleged recruitment scam include former CGPSC chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, his nephews Nitesh Sonwani and Sahil Sonwani, former Deputy Controller of Examinations Lalit Ganvir, industrialist Shravan Kumar Goyal, his son Shashank Goyal, and daughter-in-law Bhumika Katiyar.

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INDIA Bloc protest intensifies, Opposition MPs plan Rajghat march

The INDIA bloc has planned another round of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Opposition MPs expected to march to Rajghat on Thursday.

Published

11 hours ago

on

October 8, 2026

By

The INDIA bloc is set to intensify its protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with Opposition MPs expected to march to Rajghat on Thursday.

The fresh mobilisation comes a day after several Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, were detained during protests against the Election Commission. The leaders were later released.

The Opposition has been demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over allegations linked to electoral rolls and what it has described as “vote chori”.

Opposition leaders discuss next course of action

INDIA bloc MPs met at a cafe in Delhi on Thursday to discuss the next steps in their protest. Following the meeting, the leaders were expected to proceed towards Rajghat.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted an INDIA bloc luncheon meeting on Wednesday, after which buses were arranged to transport MPs. Several Opposition leaders later staged a sit-in and raised slogans demanding the resignation of the poll body chief.

Mamata Banerjee among leaders expected to join

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is likely to be part of the Opposition’s 10-member delegation that will meet President Droupadi Murmu on Friday.

The INDIA bloc has also sought an appointment with the President. Ten Opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, have been given an appointment to meet the President on Friday.

The INDIA bloc had sought a meeting with a 15-member delegation, but Rashtrapati Bhavan agreed to a 10-member delegation.

Case against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi

The Delhi Police has registered a case against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other leaders and workers over alleged misconduct during the protests.

Police sources said the FIR alleges assaulting police personnel and obstructing government work during Wednesday’s protest.

The INDIA bloc’s agitation follows an earlier march towards the Election Commission headquarters, during which Opposition MPs demanded action over their concerns regarding electoral rolls and alleged irregularities.

Election Commission protest continues

The Opposition has announced further protests as it seeks to keep the issue in focus.

Congress has described October 8 as a “Black Day” nationwide, while Opposition MPs are continuing their campaign against the Election Commission.

The latest protest comes amid heightened security at CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Delhi residence and around the Election Commission headquarters.

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Delhi Building Collapse: Many trapped as 5-storey structure comes down

A building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday, with several people feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams have reached the spot.

Published

1 day ago

on

October 7, 2026

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A building collapsed in Delhi’s Seemapuri area on Wednesday, with several people feared to be trapped under the debris.

The incident took place in northeast Delhi, where emergency teams were rushed to the site after the collapse was reported.

Rescue operation underway

A search and rescue operation has been launched at the site as authorities work to determine whether people are trapped beneath the debris.

The Delhi Fire Service received information about the collapse at around 3:30 pm and sent fire tenders to the location. An official said some people might be trapped in the debris.

The incident has prompted an emergency response in the area, with rescue personnel working to locate anyone who may be trapped.

Collapse comes a month after Satya Niketan tragedy

The Seemapuri incident comes about a month after a building collapse in Delhi’s Satya Niketan area, where people were trapped after a multi-storey structure came down.

Further details about the Seemapuri collapse, including the number of people trapped and any casualties, are awaited as the rescue operation continues.

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Bhagwant Mann hits back at BJP over CBI search in Sangrur

Bhagwant Mann hit out at the BJP over a CBI search in Sangrur, alleging political targeting and claiming the agency returned empty-handed after a nearly six-hour search.

Published

2 days ago

on

October 7, 2026

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the BJP over a CBI search at the residence of his officer on special duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Sangrur, alleging that central agencies are being used against political opponents ahead of elections.

Mann said the CBI action was an indication that elections were approaching and accused the BJP of using agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate against Opposition leaders or their associates.

“The CBI raid shows that elections have arrived,” Mann said.

The Punjab Chief Minister cited cases involving Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders close to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while alleging that central agencies have been used ahead of elections. He also said Aam Aadmi Party leaders faced similar action before the Delhi Assembly elections.

Mann says CBI returned empty-handed

According to Mann, the CBI search at Gharachon village in Sangrur lasted nearly six hours.

The Chief Minister claimed that the agency “did not find anything” during the search and returned empty-handed. He alleged that the action was part of a BJP conspiracy to defame him and his government.

Mann also linked the CBI action to the BJP’s anti-drug campaign in Punjab and questioned the political impact of the campaign.

He alleged that the CBI action was politically motivated and intended to create a narrative against the AAP government ahead of upcoming elections.

CBI search at Mann aide’s house

Earlier, a CBI team searched the house of Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Gharachon village in Sangrur.

The search triggered a political confrontation involving the ruling AAP and Opposition parties. Representatives of Waris Punjab De and Akali Dal Punar Surjeet gathered in the village and welcomed the CBI team.

After the CBI vehicles left the area, people were seen beating dhols, performing bhangra and showering flower petals on the vehicles carrying the agency officials.

Sources cited in the report said the CBI was investigating allegations involving people accused of causing significant losses to Punjab and looting public money.

BJP hits back at Bhagwant Mann

BJP leader Tarun Chugh criticised the response to the CBI search, calling it an “extraordinary display of shamelessness”.

Taking a swipe at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Chugh said the time for political drama was over and that those responsible would have to answer for money allegedly stolen from the people of Punjab.

“Stop the drama. Let the investigation proceed and let the facts speak,” he said.

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