The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the alleged Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment scam after former CGPSC chairman Taman Sonwani was produced before a special court on Friday. The court remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody, allowing the agency to expand its probe into the alleged money laundering and financial transactions linked to the case.

The ED is now expected to investigate the alleged money trail, examine financial transactions, and identify individuals who may have benefited from the recruitment process through illegal means.

CBI Earlier Arrested Sonwani

Before the ED's action, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrested Taman Sonwani and a Raipur-based businessman in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities.

Investigating agencies have alleged that the recruitment process for several gazetted posts, including Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and other state civil services positions, was manipulated to favour relatives of influential political and bureaucratic figures.

Question Paper Allegedly Shared at Official Residence

According to the CBI's investigation, the recruitment examination question paper was allegedly made available to selected candidates at Sonwani's official residence before the examination.

The agency further claims that the paper was subsequently passed through former Deputy Examination Controller Lalit Ganveer to a businessman. The businessman’s son and daughter-in-law allegedly prepared using the leaked paper and were later selected as Deputy Collectors.

These allegations remain under investigation.

ED to Summon More Individuals

The alleged irregularities relate to the CGPSC State Service Examination 2021, conducted for 171 vacancies.

Following allegations of paper leaks, favouritism and manipulation in the recruitment process, the Chhattisgarh government transferred the investigation to the CBI. With the ED now examining the financial aspect of the case, several individuals suspected of being linked to the money trail are likely to receive notices for questioning in the coming days.

Officials said the investigation will focus on identifying illegal financial transactions connected to the recruitment process and uncovering any broader network involved in the alleged scam.

Background of the Recruitment Controversy

The alleged scam pertains to recruitment conducted by CGPSC between 2020 and 2022. Investigators suspect that transparency in written examinations and interviews was compromised to facilitate the selection of candidates linked to politically influential and senior administrative families.

The recruitment process has been under scrutiny for allegedly overlooking deserving candidates while favouring selected individuals for prestigious government positions.

Recruitment Timeline

The CGPSC State Service Examination 2021 was conducted to fill 171 posts.

• Preliminary Examination: 13 February 2022

• Qualified for Mains: 2,565 candidates

• Main Examination: 26–29 May 2022

• Qualified for Interview: 509 candidates

• Final Selection List Released: 11 May 2023

• Total Selected Candidates: 170

The CBI has already filed multiple charge sheets in the case, naming several accused and alleging widespread irregularities in the recruitment process. The ED's investigation is expected to complement the criminal probe by tracing alleged proceeds of crime and financial transactions associated with the scam.