The Rajasthan High Court has annulled the 2021 Sub-Inspector (SI) Recruitment Examination, addressing the fallout from a long-standing paper leak scandal that has embroiled candidates, officials, and intermediaries in a criminal investigation. Justice Sameer Jain delivered the judgment today after a detailed examination of evidence and arguments spanning several hearings.
The recruitment examination, conducted between September 13 and 15, 2021, had attracted over 7.97 lakh aspirants for 859 vacancies. Allegations of a paper leak first surfaced in February 2024, precipitating a political controversy that gained prominence during the 2023 state assembly elections. The issue became central to electoral debates, with promises of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe forming part of campaign commitments.
Following the formation of a new state government, the Chief Minister instituted a SIT under senior IPS officer V.K. Singh, tasked with probing the integrity of the recruitment process. Investigations revealed that the question paper had been unlawfully obtained from Jaipur and circulated to candidates through a network of intermediaries for sums ranging between Rs 15–20 lakh. The probe identified multiple layers of complicity, including candidates, brokers, and senior officials associated with the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC).
The SIT and Special Operations Group (SOG) recorded approximately 125 arrests during the investigation. Notably, former RPSC member Ramu Ram Raika, his family members, and then-RPSC member Babulal Katara were implicated for facilitating the leak. Over 50 trainee sub-inspectors implicated in the scandal were dismissed from service despite some having completed their training and assumed field postings.
Advocate General Rajendra Prasad informed the High Court that a Cabinet Sub-Committee had initially recommended against cancellation of the recruitment, a position later approved by the Chief Minister’s Office. However, after reviewing the evidence, Justice Jain found that the extent of the leak, coupled with the involvement of senior officials, warranted cancellation of the examination to preserve the credibility of the recruitment process.
The Court’s order places renewed scrutiny on recruitment practices and administrative oversight within the RPSC. It signals the judiciary’s willingness to intervene where procedural and statutory safeguards are compromised, ensuring that merit-based selection is not vitiated by criminal interference. Candidates affected by the cancellation now face uncertainty regarding future recruitment opportunities, and the decision is likely to generate further political and administrative discourse.
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