Former Chhattisgarh PSC Chief Arrested Under PMLA as ED Probes Alleged Paper Leak, Recruitment Manipulation, and Financial Trail
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Taman Singh Sonwani, former Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC), in connection with an alleged recruitment scam involving examination paper leaks, manipulation of the selection process, and money laundering.
According to the ED, the alleged irregularities relate to the CGPSC State Service Examinations of 2020 and 2021, where government posts were allegedly secured for relatives and favoured candidates through unlawful means in exchange for illegal gratification.
Sonwani was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and has been remanded to ED custody until July 30 by a Special PMLA Court in Raipur. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been adjudicated by a court.
Investigation Originated From EOW, ACB, and CBI Cases
According to the ED, its money laundering investigation stems from:
- An FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)/Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Chhattisgarh
- A subsequent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
The agency alleges that Sonwani, along with other public servants and private individuals, entered into a criminal conspiracy to manipulate the recruitment process for unlawful gain.
Alleged Manipulation of Recruitment Process
Investigators allege that while serving as CGPSC Chairman, Sonwani conspired to:
- Leak examination papers
- Manipulate recruitment procedures
- Influence selection outcomes
- Facilitate appointments of relatives and preferred candidates
According to the ED, prestigious government positions—including Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)—were allegedly filled through fraudulent practices instead of a fair competitive process.
These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation.
Recruitment Rules Also Under Scanner
The ED has also alleged that the conspiracy extended beyond examination irregularities.
According to investigators, recruitment rules were amended in 2021, allegedly removing the word "nephew" from the definition of "family."
The agency suspects that this change was intended to avoid conflict-of-interest restrictions and facilitate appointments involving the former chairman's relatives.
This allegation remains under investigation and has not been judicially established.
ED Tracing Alleged Money Trail
According to the ED, proceeds of crime were allegedly received through:
- Cash payments
- Layered banking transactions
- Concealed financial channels
Investigators are tracing the financial trail to identify beneficiaries and determine how the alleged proceeds were distributed among individuals connected with the case.
Custodial Interrogation Ordered
The ED stated that Sonwani was arrested on July 25 under Section 19 of the PMLA.
According to the agency, during questioning under Section 50 of the PMLA, he allegedly gave evasive and non-cooperative responses while withholding material information.
The ED maintains that custodial interrogation is necessary to:
- Trace proceeds of crime
- Identify additional beneficiaries
- Uncover the complete financial network
- Gather further documentary evidence
These are the agency's allegations and remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
Recruitment Integrity Under National Spotlight
The case comes amid heightened national concern regarding examination integrity, recruitment transparency, and paper leak allegations across competitive examinations.
It also coincides with broader discussions on strengthening laws and enforcement mechanisms to combat organised examination fraud.
Expert Highlights Importance of Digital Forensics
Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said that modern recruitment frauds frequently involve multiple layers of criminal activity, including:
- Digital communication platforms
- Financial transactions
- Document manipulation
- Organised criminal networks
According to him, forensic examination of electronic devices, banking records, recruitment databases, and digital evidence plays a critical role in uncovering such conspiracies.
He also emphasized the need for stronger cybersecurity, continuous audit mechanisms, and transparent recruitment systems to improve public confidence in competitive examinations.
Investigation Continues
The ED stated that its investigation is ongoing and remains focused on:
- Identifying all beneficiaries
- Tracing the complete money trail
- Examining additional evidence
- Determining the role of other public servants and private individuals
Officials indicated that further legal action may follow depending on the evidence gathered.