CBI Arrests Three More in Chhattisgarh PSC Scam
Raipur | Correspondent: The CBI has arrested three more individuals on Sunday in connection with the Chhattisgarh PSC scam case. The arrested individuals include Sahil Sonwani, nephew of former Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, along with Shashank Goyal and Bhumika Katiyar, who had been selected for the position of Deputy Collector.
Earlier, Taman Singh Sonwani’s son Nitesh Sonwani and former Examination Controller Lalit Ganvir were also arrested, marking this the fifth arrest in just two days. To date, eight people, including three officials, have been arrested in this case.
The CBI had called Sahil Sonwani, Shashank Goyal, and Bhumika Katiyar for questioning on Sunday. Following their interrogation, all three were arrested and later presented in a Raipur court.
In previous developments, Taman Singh Sonwani’s son Nitesh Sonwani and then-Deputy Examination Controller Lalit Ganvir were arrested and produced in court. On Saturday, the court remanded both of them to CBI custody until January 13.
It is known that Sahil Sonwani, nephew of Taman Singh Sonwani, had been selected for the position of DSP, while Shashank Goyal, son-in-law of Congress leader Sudhir Katiyar, was selected for Deputy Collector. Bhumika Katiyar, daughter of the same Congress leader, was also selected for the position of Deputy Collector.
Case Registered in EOW
In May 2024, an FIR was filed at Arjunda Police Station in Balod district regarding irregularities and corruption in the PSC recruitment process. The FIR named several officials, including then-Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, Secretary Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, and Controller of Examinations Aarti Vasnik.
The BJP-led state government recommended a CBI inquiry, and after four months, the CBI took over the investigation. The agency is currently probing all PSC recruitment examinations conducted under the Bhupesh Baghel government.
A separate case concerning the PSC scam has also been registered with the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW).
Allegations of Nepotism in Selections
According to the CBI’s findings, PSC officials allegedly abused their positions to recruit their relatives, including sons, daughters, and other close family members, even when they were allegedly ineligible. These individuals were selected in various examinations held between 2020 and 2022.
It is claimed that the son of the then-Chairman was selected as Deputy Collector, his nephew as DSP, his niece as Labor Officer, his daughter-in-law as Deputy Collector, and his sister-in-law as District Excise Officer. Additionally, the son of the then-Secretary of PSC was selected for the position of Deputy Collector.
FIR Filed by a Candidate from Balod District
A candidate from Balod district played a crucial role in exposing the PSC recruitment scam. This candidate filed an FIR at Arjunda Police Station, alleging that after clearing the preliminary and main exams of the 2021 State Service Examination and performing well in the interview, they were not selected.
However, several individuals who had attended the interview, including relatives of the then-PSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani, were chosen for the posts.
The FIR also mentioned that relatives of Congress leaders, officials, and influential individuals were among those selected. As a result, a case of forgery, conspiracy, corruption, and misuse of power was registered at Arjunda Police Station.
