Leader of the Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday (September 13, 2026) alleged a cover-up and protection of influential people in the ongoing Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into the alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment exams.

Mr. Marandi also questioned the lack of videography during the statement-recording process. He added that the direction of the probe suggests an exercise aimed solely at suppressing the truth and shielding “big fish.”

In a post on X, Mr. Marandi said that complaints are surfacing which confirm earlier apprehensions. He noted that when individuals detained or interrogated in the case reveal details regarding bribery transactions and the involvement of high-profile politicians, officials, or their intermediaries, those specific parts are being omitted from their recorded statements.

He mentioned that some junior officials involved in the investigation have —on the condition of anonymity— reported that their senior departmental officers are pressuring them not to include such statements in the official record.

“If these complaints are true, it constitutes a grave matter of suppressing the truth and protecting influential people under the guise of an investigation, “ he wrote.

Mr. Marandi asserted that the process of recording statements in such a sensitive case should be videographed and the original recordings must be preserved without any tampering, trimming, or editing to ensure that no official can alter—or cause to be altered—anyone’s statement for their own convenience.

“However, according to the complaints received, this is not happening. Why is there such anxiety to exclude a prominent name from the record the moment it is mentioned? Is the investigation being conducted to reveal the truth or to shield certain individuals?”Mr. Marandi asked.

He further added that serious allegations had previously arisen regarding the role of former Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta.

“He is involved in scandalous misdeeds—specifically concerning steering the investigation in the wrong direction, destroying evidence, and denying the existence of the recruitment scam. The shift in the CID’s stance following the protest by the students and the unemployed has further deepened these questions,”Mr. Marandi said.

The former Chief Minister also said, “Now, regarding the CID investigation led by another tainted officer, Manoj Kaushik, complaints are emerging that ‘small fish’ are being made scapegoats to shield the ‘big fish’. These grievances must be addressed through impartial action and the preservation of evidence. Merely showcasing the arrests of low-level individuals will not dispel the apprehension.”

Senior IPS officer of ADG rank Mr. Kaushik is leading the seven-member team probing alleged irregularities in the JPSS and JSSC recruitment examinations.

Giving a warning to the investigating officer, Mr. Marandi said if there is any ongoing game of dropping names from statements, erasing digital evidence, or pressuring individuals to give fabricated statements, it must stop immediately.

He added that there is also a word of advice for the next generation of officers: “do not stake your service, reputation, and conscience merely to curry favour with those in power.”

He also urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren not to force students and the unemployed to take to the streets again. He called for an immediate recommendation for a CBI inquiry and insisted on ensuring arrangements to secure and preserve all original statements, video recordings, and digital evidence.

Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) condemned the late night visit by two top officials at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where the agitation by job aspirants over alleged irregularities in the State recruitment examinations entered its 19th day 

Ranchi’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) Manjunath Bhajantri and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Ranjan reached the protest site late at night, Mr. Marandi said.

Sharing a post on X he wrote: “This morning, as soon as I checked my mobile, I learned from the tweet posted by Amit Malviya ji, the party’s central social media coordinator, at 1:30 AM, and ANI’s social media post that late at night, Ranchi’s DC and SSP reached the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and attempted to forcibly remove the students by cutting off the electricity.”

He strongly condemned the “undemocratic and reprehensible attitude” of the Ranchi district adminstration and the Hemant Soren-led governement.

“The officials stated that the government has cancelled the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam, so the protest should now be ended. As soon as the students received the information, BJP leaders arrived at the protest site late at night. Upon seeing the BJP leaders arriving there, the administrative officials left the spot,” he added.

The senior BJP leader, who also visited the site on Wednesday morning (August 12, 2026), asserted that the government can no longer tolerate even the peaceful struggle of students fighting for their rights and future. He added that the students’ demand is absolutely clear: there should be a fair CBI investigation into the selling of jobs and irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC exams.

“The students have already trusted the government’s assurances in the name of a CID investigation, and now they no longer have faith in that investigation. Simply cancelling the JPSC exam will not resolve the entire matter. The government should immediately order a CBI investigation and take concrete action on all the legitimate demands of the students,” Mr. Marandi said.

The former Chief Minister alleged that instead of suppressing the students’ voice by force of the police and administration, the government should resolve their demands.

“I warn the Hemant government not to make the mistake of challenging the power of the students. If an attempt is made to suppress this voice that has arisen in Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, its spark will reach every village in Jharkhand,” Mr. Marandi said.

He also demanded that the Ranchi district administration should ensure proper arrangements for electricity, water, sanitation, and other basic facilities at the protest site, rather than attempting to disrupt the peaceful movement at the government’s behest.

Ranchi DC, SSP on purpose of visit

On the purpose of the visit, DC Bhajantri said they had come to check on the protesters. “We have come here to ask whether the protesters are not facing any difficulties. Three students are on hunger strike over here, so we requested them to eat something so that their health does not deteriorate,” he said.

“We also have a request from the students to think about a practical and implementable next step, and accordingly we will cooperate,” the DC added.

Mr. Bhajantri was also found asking students whether they had appeared for the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) exam.

Ranchi SSP Mr. Ranjan appealed to the students not to allow any outsiders or anti-social elements to become part of their movement. He also urged the students to verify the identities and origins of all individuals at least once at night.

Reacting to the visit of the officials, student leader Kunal Singh said that it was humanly not possible to identify the outsiders and that it was the job of the special branch. He also alleged that during their visit, the officials tried to separate the JPSC and JSSC students.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin instructed his party workers in Jharkhand on Sunday (June 7, 2026) to gear up for the 2029 Assembly Election in the state.

He was speaking during a meeting held at the party office in Ranchi as part of a two-day visit to the State that concluded on June 7, 2026. State office bearers, presidents of state wings (Morchas), district presidents, and district in-charges were present for his first visit there after becoming the party’s national president.

Addressing the party workers and leaders, Mr. Nabin said that the present team in Jharkhand will lead the party in the next elections. He asserted that every worker must gear up for 2029 and learn from past polls.

“Jharkhand was, is, and will remain a BJP stronghold. Although the party did not achieve the expected success in the last election because opposition parties misled the public with false promises, people still hold more affection for the BJP in their hearts than for the ‘INDI Alliance’,” Mr. Nabin said.

Transform the atmosphere

He pointed out that the party failed to win the public’s trust, but now is the time to transform the atmosphere of disappointment into hope. He added that the organisation must be revived by motivating booth-level workers.

Mr. Nabin directed that regular monthly meetings be held at all levels from the State down to the Mandal (block/cluster) level to maintain continuous communication with grassroots workers.

He stressed that there was a need to discuss shortcomings at the booth level during Shakti Kendra (power centre) meetings and focus on resolving them. He also directed that the formation of all party wings be completed up to the Mandal level and a target be set to build a team of at least 100 active workers in each Mandal.

He also_{instructed district presidents to respectfully engage veteran and senior workers, prepare a list of those who have served for three terms, and reintegrate them into organisational activities. He stressed that the party takes precedence over the individual. He also opined that the organisation can be strengthened by establishing better coordination between senior and junior workers.}

Mr. Nabin said, “District offices must be organised and active not merely administrative hubs but centres for organisational engagement and dialogue with workers. District heads should be present to maintain contact with the party cadre.”

Talking about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which is set to begin in the state on June 20, he directed party workers to approach the exercise seriously and called for regular reviews of SIR activities from the state to the booth level.

He also instructed that dialogues and conferences be organised to interact with 500 prominent, enlightened citizens in every district. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words on Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047), stating that the dream of a developed India would only be realised if the BJP’s organisation is strong at the booth level and workers dedicate themselves to organisational expansion with their full energy and commitment.

Jharkhand BJP President Aditya Sahu and Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi were also present during the meeting and asked party workers to launch agitations on local issues.