Chhattisgarh PSC Scam: Systemic Corruption Revealed

Chhattisgarh PSC Scam is shaping up to be one of the most egregious cases of corruption in recent memory, threatening to erode public trust in governance at its very core. The allegations surrounding this scandal are not just grave but strike at the heart of the merit-based selection process that is supposed to underpin government recruitment. Multiple investigative agencies have been mobilised to uncover the depths of this scandal, which has sent shockwaves through the state. 

At the centre of the controversy are accusations of blatant favouritism in the selection of candidates for prestigious positions such as Deputy Collectors, Deputy Superintendents of Police, and other senior roles. These positions, which require the highest levels of integrity and competence, are now under a cloud of suspicion, with claims that the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PSC) compromised the selection process to favour certain individuals, potentially undermining the very foundation of public administration in the state. The seriousness of these allegations cannot be overstated, as they suggest a systemic manipulation of a process that is meant to be transparent and based solely on merit.

Manipulation in PSC Exams 

Previously, the Chhattisgarh government had stated that they had registered a First Information Report (FIR) to delve into the suspected manipulation of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) examinations conducted in 2020 and 2021. This FIR, filed by the Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW-ACB), marked the beginning of a broader investigation into what now appears to be a deeply entrenched network of corruption. 

The EOW-ACB also registered at least five separate cases linked to alleged irregularities and corruption, all of which trace back to the tenure of the previous Congress regime. These investigations suggest that the rot in the system may have been festering for years, with the current probe shedding light on practices that could have far-reaching implications for the state’s governance and public trust. The timing and pattern of these allegations point to a possible systemic flaw, where corrupt practices were potentially institutionalised, raising concerns about the integrity of public service recruitment in Chhattisgarh.

The Probe Accesses CBI FIR Copy

The Probe has exclusively obtained a copy of the CBI's FIR related to the Chhattisgarh PSC Scam. The FIR, dated July 9, 2024, was registered at the Raipur district office of the CBI's Anti-Corruption Bureau. The report lays bare the serious nature of the charges being investigated.

The FIR invokes sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), specifically 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating), alongside provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, including sections 7, 7A, and 12. These sections outline severe offences, ranging from public servants being bribed to taking undue advantage to influence official decisions. The inclusion of these charges also highlight the potential involvement of a well-coordinated network of individuals who allegedly conspired to manipulate the selection process for key government positions.

The FIR details allegations of public servants engaging in corrupt or illegal practices, utilising their positions to exercise undue influence for personal gain. This not only hints at a high level of sophistication in the criminal activities involved but also raises concerns about the integrity of public institutions in Chhattisgarh. The seriousness of these charges suggest that those entrusted with upholding the law may have instead exploited it for personal benefit. The case, which the CBI is now investigating, could unravel a much larger conspiracy, implicating multiple individuals across various levels of governance.

Former PSC Chairman Allegedly Involved in Scandal

According to exclusive information available with The Probe, the CBI's investigation is now focused on uncovering the intricate web of favouritism and nepotism that allegedly led to the appointment of family members and relatives of influential individuals, including the then-chairman, senior officials, and politicians, to coveted positions such as District Collectors and Deputy Superintendents of Police (Deputy SPs) during the period of 2020-22.

The CBI registered an FIR against key figures in the Chhattisgarh PSC, beginning with Taman Singh Sonwani, who was the Chairman of the Commission during the time of the alleged malpractice. The FIR also names other high-ranking officials, including Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, the then Secretary of the Commission, and the Controller of Examinations, among others. Additional accused individuals, identified as public servants and politicians involved in the Chhattisgarh government and PSC suggest the potential involvement of a broader network of corruption.

The core of the CBI's allegations centres on a systematic manipulation of the merit list, where sons, daughters, and other relatives of senior officials and politicians were allegedly placed in advantageous positions to secure their appointments to lucrative government posts. Out of a total of 171 candidates selected in the examinations, a significant number are believed to be linked to these powerful individuals. This blatant nepotism not only subverted the competitive examination process but also compromised the integrity of public service recruitment, depriving deserving candidates of their rightful opportunities.

Sources have told The Probe that the scope of the investigation is likely to widen, potentially implicating more individuals and revealing the full extent of the corruption that tainted the recruitment process. The agency’s findings could have far-reaching consequences, not just for those directly involved but also for the credibility of public institutions in Chhattisgarh, raising critical questions about the ethical standards of governance in the state.

Sonwani’s Dubious Past Under Scrutiny

Former PSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, a central figure in the Chhattisgarh PSC scam, has a history that raises serious questions about his career trajectory and actions. Sonwani, who previously served as Secretary to former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, is accused of a series of unethical practices that allegedly compromised the integrity of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission.

According to the allegations, Sonwani’s resignation from his post as Secretary was ostensibly a strategic move that paved the way for his appointment as Chairman of the PSC. Once in this position, it is alleged that Sonwani engaged in a nepotistic practice, appointing his own relatives and other undeserving candidates to prestigious state administrative roles such as District Collectors and Deputy Superintendents of Police (Deputy SPs) during the period from 2020 to 2022. This practice not only undermined the merit-based selection process but also raised suspicions about his motivations for accepting the PSC Chairman role in the first place.

Further compounding these allegations, there are claims that Sonwani was instructed to appoint the relatives of ministers and key figures favoured by the government, suggesting that his appointment as Chairman was part of a broader scheme to ensure the placement of politically connected individuals in influential positions. This would imply a troubling pattern of political favouritism and corruption extending beyond his tenure at the PSC.

Moreover, Sonwani’s career prior to his PSC appointment is also under scrutiny. Reports indicate that while serving as a Deputy Collector at Rampur Collectorate, he was allegedly involved in a massive ₹200 crore land controversy. Additionally, investigative officials have revealed that Sonwani may have been implicated in a fraudulent MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) enrollment scam in the past. The controversy surrounding his tenure as PSC Chairman does not end there. It is alleged that Sonwani was involved in illegal appointments of college professors.  

Names Revealed: Exclusive

The Probe has obtained exclusive information detailing the names of individuals allegedly selected through nepotistic practices within the Chhattisgarh PSC. The revelations expose a troubling pattern of favouritism, with numerous appointments allegedly made based on personal connections rather than merit.

Among those implicated, Nitesh Sonwani stands out as a particularly egregious case. Appointed as a Deputy Collector, Nitesh is the son of the former PSC Chairman, Taman Singh Sonwani. Investigators have revealed that his surname, Sonwani, was intentionally obscured during the selection process to conceal his connection to the Chairman. Similarly, Sahil, who was appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), is the son of Taman Singh Sonwani’s elder brother. His surname was also deliberately hidden, according to sources.

The nepotism extended to other family members of Taman Singh Sonwani as well. Nisha Khosle, who was appointed as a Deputy Collector, is both the daughter-in-law of Sonwani and the wife of Nitesh. Deepa Aadil, selected as the District Excise Officer, is the daughter-in-law of Sonwani’s brother. Sunitha Joshi, appointed as a Labour Officer, is the daughter of Sonwani’s sister.

The pattern of favouritism did not stop within Sonwani’s immediate family. Sumit Dhruv, another Deputy Collector, is the son of the then Secretary of the Chhattisgarh PSC. Neha Khalkho, who secured a position as Deputy Collector, is the daughter of the governor’s secretary, Amrit Khalkho, while her brother, Nikhil Khalkho, also became a Deputy Collector.

Other controversial appointments include Sakshi Dhruv, a Deputy Collector and daughter of DIG of Bastar Naxal Operations P.L. Dhruv; Pragya Nayak, a Deputy Collector with familial ties to an OSD of a Congress leader; and Prakhar Nayak, appointed as Finance Service Officer, who is the son of the OSD of a Congress leader.

Further adding to the scandal are Ananya Agrawal, a Deputy Collector and daughter of a Congress leader, and Shashank Goel, who was appointed as a Deputy Collector and is the son-in-law of senior Congress leader Sudhir Kathiyar. Bhumika Kathiyar, also selected as a Deputy Collector, is the daughter of Sudhir Kathiyar.

Khushbu Bijoura, another Deputy Collector, is the daughter of a relative of the Congress leader’s OSD. Swarnim Shukla, who was appointed as a Deputy Collector, is the daughter of senior Congress leader Rajendra Shukla, and Rajendra Kumar Kaushik, also appointed as a Deputy Collector, is the son of another senior Congress leader.

These appointments, marked by nepotism and a blatant disregard for merit, reveal a systemic abuse of power within the Chhattisgarh PSC. 

The merit list for the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations, specifically from positions one through fifteen, appears to be dominated by individuals with political connections, relatives of former PSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, and the families of other high-ranking officials. This disturbing trend exposes a systemic manipulation of the recruitment process that undermines the fundamental principles of meritocracy and fairness.

For candidates who have diligently prepared for these competitive exams and invested significant time and effort into their studies, this nepotistic arrangement represents a profound injustice. These deserving individuals, who have achieved their scores through hard work and dedication, are effectively sidelined by a process that prioritises personal connections over qualifications. The presence of politically connected individuals and relatives of influential figures at the top of the merit list casts a long shadow over the credibility of the entire selection process.

The consequences for deserving candidates are far-reaching. Firstly, their opportunities for career advancement are severely curtailed. Positions that they might have otherwise secured based on their qualifications and performance are instead filled by individuals who do not possess the same level of competence or commitment. 

The broader implications of this scam extend to the effectiveness and efficiency of public administration itself. By placing individuals in key positions based on personal connections rather than merit, the quality of governance and service delivery is compromised. This, in turn, affects the public's trust in government institutions and their ability to function effectively.

Overall, the manipulation of the merit list not only betrays the candidates who were rightfully deserving of these positions but also jeopardises the integrity of the recruitment process and the quality of governance in Chhattisgarh. 

The Probe has uncovered significant discrepancies in the interview and selection process for key positions within the Chhattisgarh PSC. According to our findings, Taman Singh Sonwani, the former PSC Chairman, was allegedly involved in the interview panels for approximately 22 key positions. This direct involvement contravenes established rules, which stipulate that the Chairman should not partake in the interview process to ensure impartiality and prevent conflicts of interest.

The implications of Sonwani’s presence on these panels are serious, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the selection process. Investigations reveal that around 171 posts are currently under scrutiny, with concerns that these appointments were not based on merit but rather on favouritism and nepotism. The involvement of Sonwani in these interview sessions raises critical questions about the integrity of the selections made during his tenure. The ongoing investigations are delving into the complex nexus between the selected candidates, the top PSC authorities, and key politicians from the then Chhattisgarh government. 

Was the Then-Government Complicit?

Despite the revelations of the Chhattisgarh PSC scam, it is noteworthy that, to date, no political figures have been arrested in connection with the scandal. The exposure of this blatant corruption highlights severe deficiencies in the recruitment process, but the fact that it was executed so openly suggests that such practices may not be isolated incidents.

The overt nature of this scam raises troubling questions about its historical context. Given the audacity with which this corruption was carried out, it is plausible that similar malpractices have been occurring for years, if not decades. The systemic nature of the wrongdoing suggests a deeply rooted problem within the Chhattisgarh PSC, potentially pointing to a long-standing pattern of corrupt recruitment practices that have compromised the integrity of public service appointments.

Moreover, the individuals selected through these corrupt means are unlikely to adhere to ethical standards in their roles. The foundational principle of meritocracy is undermined when appointments are made based on personal connections rather than qualifications. This erosion of meritocracy inevitably leads to inefficiency and corruption among those who have secured their positions through unethical practices.

The larger question now is the nature and extent of the corruption perpetrated by these individuals once they assumed their roles. Those appointed through such dubious means are likely to have engaged in further corrupt activities, exploiting their positions for personal gain and perpetuating a cycle of dishonesty and malpractice. This could include embezzlement, bribery, nepotism in their own appointments, or other forms of misconduct that undermine the public’s trust in the governance system.

Unravelling these layers of corruption is essential to understanding the full impact of the scam and addressing the systemic issues that have allowed such practices to flourish. The investigating agency has formally requested the Governor to cancel the 171 dubious appointments resulting from the Chhattisgarh PSC scam. This move aims to address the immediate fallout of the scandal, but it is clear that the damage has already been done. The integrity of the recruitment process has been massively compromised, and the repercussions of this fraud will likely be felt for years to come.

The scale and audacity of the scam suggest that it was not carried out in isolation but rather with tacit or explicit knowledge of the then Chhattisgarh government. Such a large-scale manipulation of the recruitment process would be difficult to execute without the awareness or complicity of high-ranking officials. As the investigation progresses, the critical question remains: will those at the top—who may have either orchestrated or turned a blind eye to this corruption—be held accountable?