Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, June 20
Leader of the Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Friday alleged serious irregularities in the police recruitment examination, including a potential paper leak, and called for a high-level investigation. He said that if the state government is unable to conduct a fair probe, the matter should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Thakur claimed the examination process was marred by malpractice and accused the ruling Congress government of attempting to suppress key evidence. He added that two people had already been arrested in connection with the alleged leak and urged authorities to release CCTV footage from the exam centres to ensure transparency.
“Widespread group cheating took place inside examination halls, and it was all recorded. But the government is pressuring officials to withhold that footage,” Thakur alleged during a press conference. He also pointed to social media posts and financial transaction records that suggest money may have changed hands to facilitate cheating. “This isn’t just mismanagement—it’s a serious offence,” he said, warning that attempts may be made to destroy official records related to the exam.
“The situation is grave. The only major recruitment this government has conducted in two and a half years is mired in controversy, and it is the aspirants themselves who are raising concerns,” Thakur said. He further demanded that the examination be cancelled immediately if group cheating is confirmed.
Comparing the current government’s performance to his own term, he said, “Our government provided 60,000 jobs in five years. Today, the only police recruitment under this government is under a cloud.”
The opposition leader also took a swipe at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over internal discord within the ruling party. Referring to a social media post by the son of Cabinet Minister Chander Kumar, who hinted at his father’s resignation, Thakur claimed even Congress MLAs and ministers are disillusioned with the leadership. “When the ministers themselves are unhappy, how can the people expect anything better?” he asked. Thakur concluded by saying that in light of the worsening situation, CM Sukhu should resign.
