Mithilesh Singh emerges as key accused in Jharkhand recruitment exam scam

Mithilesh Singh, director of the blacklisted examination management agencies Webel and ICN, has emerged as a kingpin behind irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

A special investigation team of the CID is currently examining his financial and digital networks, while multiple teams have been dispatched in various cities in search of him. He remains absconding.

Investigations and interrogations of accused persons arrested in connection with the recruitment scam have revealed that Mithilesh Singh allegedly charged candidates between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 lakh each to ensure their success in the JSSC CGL examination and other major recruitment tests.

The racket became clearer following the interrogation of another key accused, Abhay Tiwari, who admitted that he paid Rs 12 lakh each to Singh for securing the selection of himself, his brother Akshay Tiwari, and his wife Sushma Kumari. This amounts to a total of Rs 36 lakh.

The CID's probe has also uncovered what investigators describe as an extensive nexus involving manipulation of examination processes and digital systems. Blacklisted and controversial agencies such as Webel and ICN had allegedly been entrusted with sensitive responsibilities, including OMR sheet processing and question paper printing.

During questioning, ICN employees Sumansh Prakash and Rahul Kumar, who were arrested in Delhi, told investigators that they merely carried out instructions from lower-level supervisors, while all major dealings with JSSC officials and the commission were handled directly by Milithilesh Singh.

The accused allegedly facilitated unauthorised modifications in the backend software of the examination portal, enabling manipulation of candidates' scores.

Investigating agencies have further received information suggesting that proceeds generated through question paper leaks and exam manipulation were used to build a vast portfolio of benami assets worth over Rs 300 crore across the country.

Preliminary CID findings indicate benami land holdings, luxury houses, apartments, hotels, and commercial properties linked to Singh in Delhi, Patna, Ranchi, Mumbai, Pune, Rajasthan, and Haryana.

Originally from Bihar's Bhojpur district, Singh is alleged to be a seasoned operator in inter-state examination scams. Investigators believe he was previously involved in recruitment irregularities and paper leak cases in Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Telangana, and has reportedly been jailed on around four occasions in connection with similar offences.

According to the probe, he replicated the same organised syndicate model in Jharkhand that had allegedly been used in other states.

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