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Appoints Retired Judge to Monitor SIT Probe into JPSC Exam Irregularities
Ranchi, : The has stepped in to address growing concerns of harassment among candidates implicated in the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in the 11th to 13th examinations. Justice Deepak Roshan, presiding over a batch of challenging the state government’s cancellation of recruitments made through these exams, appointed retired High Court judge Justice Gautam Kumar Chaudhary as a monitor to oversee the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT) probe.
The court had previously stayed the state’s notification that cancelled the entire selection process and terminated all appointed candidates. The latest order aims to ensure that the investigation proceeds fairly without intimidating innocent candidates.
A Pattern of Grievances
The petitioners—comprising over a dozen groups of candidates represented by senior advocates including , , and —argued that the SIT was summoning genuine candidates and subjecting them to “gross harassment and undue pressure.” , counsel for one set of petitioners, submitted that while he did not wish to comment on the investigation itself, he urged the court to protect innocent individuals from being victimised.
The state, through Advocate General and senior counsel , countered that is a legitimate investigative step and cannot be termed . However, they conceded that any apprehension of highhandedness could be addressed by an independent , such as a retired High Court judge.
Balancing Investigation and Fairness
Justice Roshan acknowledged the dual imperatives: the need for an effective investigation and the protection of candidates’ rights. He observed that summoning individuals does not automatically constitute harassment, but the principles of fairness and justice warranted oversight.
“It is no doubt that summoning anyone by itself cannot be termed as harassment, but at the same time, having regard to the , this Court feels it appropriate to appoint Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gautam Kumar Chaudhary (Retd.) to monitor/observe the investigation done by SIT so that no citizen is harassed due to the ongoing investigation,” the court noted.
Role of the Monitor
The court clarified that the monitor’s role is independent of the main proceedings and will not interfere with the investigation. The SIT remains free to investigate . If any candidate receives a summons, they must cooperate fully. Should they have a , they may approach Justice Chaudhary, who will assess the complaint and, if found credible, convey it to the head of the SIT for remedial action.
The state has been directed to bear all logistics, office support, and remuneration for the retired judge.
Interim Stay Continues
The court extended the that had previously stayed the cancellation of recruitments, pending further hearing. The next date of hearing is scheduled for , at 11:30 AM.
Key Observations
- “Before parting, it is necessary to refer the argument of Mr. Sinha, inasmuch as, there might be apprehension in many candidates, who are genuine, that they may be harassed; at the same time, it is also important for the investigating agency in order to effectively investigate to summon/issue notice any person on the basis of materials collected during the investigation.”
- “The monitoring by itself shall not preclude the agency to proceed with the investigation and the SIT would be free to investigate and enquire in the matter .”
- “The appointment of Observer/Monitor is only in the interest of and to dispel any apprehension in the minds of any person, and such appointment in the opinion of the court would also further the cause of and will also .”
The appointment of a retired judge as monitor marks a significant judicial intervention aimed at preserving the integrity of the investigation while safeguarding the rights of candidates caught in the controversy.
