Scope of probe into paper leakage case should be broadened

After a massive protest and intense pressure from the aspirants as well as the people of the state, the government of Arunachal Pradesh on Monday announced that it has recommended the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) assistant engineer (civil) question paper leakage case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This was announced by Home Minister Bamang Felix. Earlier, speaking to the media in Lower Subansiri HQ Ziro while inaugurating a series of projects, Chief Minister Pema Khandu first informed that the case has been handed over to the CBI.

It is a good move on the part of the state government to hand over the case to the CBI. It has understood the mood of the people and has taken a wise decision. However, the scope of the investigation should be broadened. Six people have been so far arrested for their involvement in the scam. The involvement of APPSC Deputy Secretary Taket Jerang in the scam is very critical. He was the deputy controller of examination and has been working as the commissioner since the 1990s. It is possible that he might have unfairly influenced earlier examinations too. This angle should be probed too. Further, this whole APPSC paper leakage case should be an eye-opener for the state police. People have lost trust in them and therefore demanded a CBI investigation. In the past, many important cases, including corruption-related cases, were not properly investigated by the investigating agencies of the state police. Due to this, the people have lost trust. The police also need to introspect in the true sense.