The investigation into the alleged irregularities in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) 2021 recruitment examination has expanded to include suspected money laundering, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiating a parallel probe into financial transactions linked to the case.

Investigating agencies suspect the alleged recruitment scam may involve corruption exceeding ₹500 crore, with allegations that candidates paid huge sums to secure appointments to prestigious government posts, including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other administrative services.

ED Begins Money Laundering Investigation

The ED has started examining the financial trail following the ongoing probe against former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani.

According to the investigation, evidence has emerged suggesting alleged laundering of ₹47 lakh, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reportedly uncovered evidence indicating collections of around ₹1.3 crore linked to recruitment-related transactions.

Officials are now examining whether the funds were routed through charitable and institutional channels to conceal their origin.

₹47 Lakh Allegedly Routed as CSR Donation

Investigators allege that ₹47 lakh was transferred to an organisation named Gramin Vikas Samiti in exchange for facilitating the selection of the son and daughter-in-law of a power plant director.

The agency claims that most members of the organisation were either relatives or close associates of former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani. His wife, Padmini Singh Sonwani, reportedly served as the chairperson of the organisation.

The probe further alleges that the money was shown as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donation for a college that investigators claim did not actually exist. The ED is examining these transactions under provisions related to money laundering.

₹1.3 Crore Allegedly Collected From Candidates

According to the CBI charge sheet, coaching institute operator Utkarsh Chandrakar allegedly collected nearly ₹1.3 crore from aspirants by promising access to the mains examination question paper and assured selection.

Investigators said Chandrakar has been absconding since his name surfaced during the investigation. His anticipatory bail has already been cancelled by the High Court, and the ED is now attempting to trace his whereabouts.

More Recruitment Exams Under Scanner

Investigating agencies have widened the scope of the probe beyond the CGPSC-2021 recruitment, examining alleged irregularities in more than 12 recruitment examinations conducted during Sonwani's tenure, including recruitment for Assistant Professor and other government posts.

The CGPSC-2021 examination was conducted to fill 171 vacancies. The preliminary examination was held on February 13, 2022, in which 2,565 candidates qualified. The mains examination took place between May 26 and 29, 2022, followed by interviews, after which the final selection list of 170 candidates was released on May 11, 2023.

Allegations of High-Value Bribes

Investigators allege that candidates seeking appointments to senior posts such as Deputy Collector and DSP were asked to pay between ₹75 lakh and ₹1 crore per post.

The probe has also raised allegations that relatives of former officials, political leaders and senior bureaucrats received undue advantage during the recruitment process. These allegations remain under investigation.

Twenty-Nine Named as Accused

The CBI has named 29 individuals in the case, including former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, former Secretary J.K. Dhruv, former Examination Controller Aarti Vasanik, Deputy Examination Controller Lalit Ganvir, industrialist Shravan Kumar Goyal, his son Shashank Goyal, daughter-in-law Bhumika Kataria, Sonwani's son Nitesh Sonwani, relatives and several other accused, including absconding coaching operator Utkarsh Chandrakar.

Both the CBI and the ED continue to investigate the alleged recruitment scam, financial transactions and suspected money laundering linked to the case.

 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally entered the investigation into the alleged Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scam, shifting the focus to suspected money laundering linked to the recruitment process. The agency has arrested former CGPSC chairman and retired IAS officer Taman Singh Sonwani, who was already in judicial custody in the case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A special court in Raipur on Saturday granted the ED seven days of custodial remand, allowing the agency to question Sonwani until July 31. Investigators are expected to probe the alleged financial transactions, illicit proceeds and the network of individuals suspected of benefiting from the recruitment process.

ED Probes Alleged Financial Trail

Appearing for the ED, advocate Saurabh Pandey told the court that the investigation had uncovered allegations that money was collected in exchange for the selection of candidates in the CGPSC recruitment process.

According to the ED, a Rural Development Committee was allegedly used as a channel for financial transactions. The agency claimed that ₹45 lakh was transferred from Bajrang Power Limited to the committee's account through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.

The ED further alleged that most members of the committee were either relatives or close associates of Sonwani, and that the committee was used to facilitate financial transactions linked to the recruitment process.

CBI Had Earlier Arrested Sonwani

The CBI had arrested Sonwani nearly two years ago in connection with alleged irregularities in the CGPSC recruitment process. Along with him, Shravan Kumar Goyal, director of Bajrang Power and Ispat Limited, was also arrested.

The CBI alleges that influential individuals paid money to secure the selection of their relatives for prestigious government posts, including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other gazetted positions.

Allegations of Favouritism

According to the CBI, large-scale irregularities occurred during Sonwani's tenure as CGPSC chairman. Investigators have alleged that relatives of senior politicians, bureaucrats and other influential individuals were favoured during the recruitment process.

The agency claims to have gathered documentary evidence indicating financial transactions connected to the alleged manipulation of selections.

Paper Leak Allegations

The CBI investigation alleges that confidential examination papers were first taken to Sonwani's residence, where copies were allegedly made before being resealed and returned for printing.

Investigators claim that leaked question papers were later passed through intermediaries to Shravan Goyal, whose son and daughter-in-law allegedly prepared using the leaked material before both were selected as Deputy Collectors.

The agency has maintained that these allegations form part of a larger conspiracy involving examination officials and private individuals.

Recruitment Process Under Scrutiny

The alleged scam relates to CGPSC recruitment conducted between 2020 and 2022. Authorities suspect that transparency in the examination and interview process was compromised to favour candidates linked to politically and administratively influential families.

The examination was conducted to fill 171 government posts. The preliminary examination was held in February 2022, followed by the mains examination in May 2022. The final selection list of 170 candidates was published in May 2023.

Investigation Continues

With the ED now examining the financial dimension of the alleged scam, investigators are expected to focus on tracing the flow of funds, identifying beneficiaries and determining whether proceeds of crime were generated through the recruitment process.

The allegations remain under investigation. The guilt or innocence of the accused will be determined through the judicial process.