At a time when former chairmen of Rajasthan Public Service Commissioner are being targeted for paper leaks and fraudulent practices in the commission, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested former Chairman of Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (PSC) Taman Singh Sonwani.
The 2004-batch officer of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was arrested in connection with the Chhattisgarh PSC scam in which Sonwani allegedly favoured his relatives in the recruitment. The issue was a major political agenda for BJP, which came back to power in 2023.
After coming to power, the BJP government handed over the case to the CBI that registered an offence in July this year. The CBI has registered an offence against the then CGPSC chairman, Taman Singh Sonwani, and the then secretary, J K Dhruv, for alleged nepotism and pushing ineligible candidates into the merit list.
The allegations include the appointment of the then chairman's son as a Deputy Collector, his brother's son as a Deputy SP, his sister's daughter as a Labor Officer, his son's wife as a Deputy Collector, and his brother's daughter-in-law as a District Excise Officer.
The allegations also include the appointment of the then secretary's son as a Deputy Collector besides recruitment of sons, daughters, and relatives of other senior government officials and political leaders.
The CBI conducted searches at the residences of Sonwani, Dhruv, and others in Raipur and Bhilai.
Appointments under radar
Alleged appointments included:
– Chairman's son appointed as Deputy Collector
– Chairman's brother's son selected as Deputy SP
– Sister's daughter positioned as Labor Officer
– Son's wife appointed as Deputy Collector
– Brother's daughter-in-law designated as District Excise Officer
Bribery Allegations
– Total bribe amount: Rs 45 lakh
– Paid by Shravan Kumar Goyal, Director of Bajrang Power and Ispat Ltd
– Bribe paid in two installments: Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh
– Purpose: Ensuring selection of Goyal's son Sashank and daughter-in-law Bhumika Kataria as deputy collectors
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