The CGPSC recruitment scam investigation has intensified with the ED arresting former commission chairman Taman Singh Sonwani under the PMLA. The agency is examining alleged corruption, manipulated selections, and financial transactions linked to the 2021 and 2022 State Service Examinations. Sonwani, who was already in judicial custody following earlier CBI action, has been remanded to ED custody until July 30. Investigators are also examining alleged recruitment rule changes and the suspected movement of proceeds of crime. The allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
CGPSC Recruitment Scam: Former Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani Arrested by ED in Money Laundering Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested ex-Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani in a money laundering case in connection with the alleged CGPSC recruitment scam involving question paper leaks, corruption and manipulated selections.
In the CGPSC recruitment scam, a major development has taken place after the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested the former Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC), Taman Singh Sonwani, in an alleged money laundering case related to irregularities in recruitment. Official statements said the arrest follows an ongoing probe into allegations of corruption, question-paper leaks and manipulation of the State Service Examinations held during 2021 and 2022.
Taman Singh Sonwani was arrested on July 25 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED’s Raipur Zonal Office said. He was later produced before the Special Court (PMLA), Raipur, which remanded him in ED custody for seven days till July 30 for further examination of the alleged financial transactions and money trail.
CGPSC Recruitment Scam Investigation Focuses on Alleged Manipulation
The case is related to alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) in 2021 and 2022 when Sonwani was Chairman of the Commission, the ED said. Relatives of him and some other powerful candidates were selected for high government positions, investigators say, and the interview process was rigged.
The money laundering investigation is based on the predicate offence, which is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Earlier, the CBI had arrested Taman Singh Sonwani, and he was already in judicial custody before the ED initiated action under the PMLA, it said.
The Enforcement Directorate said the alleged proceeds of crime were generated through illegal gratification in connection with manipulated recruitments. Investigators said the proceeds were partly collected in cash and partly moved through layers of banking transactions, leading the agency to pursue the financial aspects of the alleged conspiracy.
The ED further stated that Taman Singh Sonwani allegedly provided evasive and non-cooperative responses during questioning under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, while also suppressing material facts relevant to the investigation. The agency has made these allegations, and they are part of the ongoing inquiry.
Recruitment Rule Changes and Alleged Conspiracy Under Scrutiny
The Enforcement Directorate also alleged that the recruitment rules of Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission were amended in 2021 by deleting the word “nephew” from the definition of “family”. The amendment allegedly helped in the selection of relatives of Taman Singh Sonwani during recruitment, investigators said.
The agency has also alleged that Taman Singh Sonwani had conspired with other public servants and private persons to leak question papers and manipulate the selection of candidates in place of illegal gratification during his tenure as Chairman. These are allegations and are part of the ED’s investigation and have not been proven by a court of law.
The ED alleged that the conspiracy resulted in the fraudulent appointment of relatives and favoured candidates to senior public service posts such as Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police. Investigators said the investigation is continuing to trace the money trail and to find other people who may have been involved.
The alleged CGPSC recruitment scam first came to light when the Indian National Congress was in power in Chhattisgarh. During the campaign for the 2023 Chhattisgarh Assembly election, the then opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had repeatedly cited the alleged recruitment irregularities among several corruption issues while criticising the government led by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
The investigation is underway, and the Enforcement Directorate is continuing to probe financial transactions, alleged proceeds of crime and involvement of other persons. Further developments are awaited in view of the pending legal proceedings before the Special Court (PMLA), Raipur. Taman Singh Sonwani. Sprouts News will keep an eye out for official updates as the allegations against Taman Singh Sonwani come under judicial scrutiny and due legal process.
