Several APS, ACS officers absconding following DGP's tweet over APSC scam

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• Nov 23, 2023 | Guriya Khatun

 34 civil servants have been apprehended in connection with the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) cash-for-job scam 2014. 

Digital Desk: Soon after the Assam DGP GP Singh tweeted about the APSC scam, several APS and ACS officers linked with the cash-for-job scam are absconding.

GP Singh earlier tweeted, "It is a strange coincidence that the day Assam Government and @assampolice starts taking revitalised action on APSC Scam, there is a minor blast by miscreants in Tinsukia district of Assam. This looks like an attempt to draw attention of senior leadership of police away from APSC Scam investigation. Such miscreants and organisations would always try to stifle efforts to improve Assam. We would identify and punish perpetrators of this, and all such attempts that are made to divert our attention from improve our state. We remain committed to reach the bottom of the scam and punish all who are involved in it. @CMOfficeAssam."

According to reports, ACS Hitesh Majumder of Mankachar , APS Farooq Ahmed of South Shalmara and APS Nitumani Das of Bangagaon are currently absconding. 

According to reports emerging on Wednesday, in a major development, 34 civil servants have been apprehended in connection with the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) cash-for-job scam 2014. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted a series of coordinated operations on Tuesday night, apprehending the officers from various locations and bringing them to Guwahati for further investigation.

The arrested officers are currently undergoing intense interrogation in Guwahati, as confirmed by reliable sources. Their names were implicated in the inquiry report submitted by Justice (Retired) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission.

Earlier this month, the Assam government initiated departmental proceedings against the 34 Assam Civil Service (ACS), Assam Police Service (APS), and other elite service officers selected by the APSC for the 2013 batch. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that the government's swift action was prompted by the inquiry report and a directive from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The CCE 2013 report highlighted abnormalities and malpractices during the exam's execution. The incorrect selection technique of 34+3 = 37 candidates was expressly identified in the report.

The Justice (Retired) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission also raised concerns in its report about the appointment of the then-APSC chairman, Rakesh Paul. The Commission recommended scrapping the selection of the entire CCE 2013 batch, citing widespread irregularities and malpractices, referencing a Supreme Court decision in a similar case. The unfolding scandal underscores the challenges of maintaining integrity in the public service recruitment process and the need for stringent measures to prevent corruption in such critical institutions.