Taman Singh Sonwani, former head of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC), has come under investigation by the CBI for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 45 lakh. The bribe was reportedly paid by Shravan Goyal to ensure the recruitment of his son and daughter-in-law as deputy collectors. Sonwani was in charge of CGPSC from 2018 until 2023, during the Congress government’s tenure.
On Saturday, Sonwani’s relative, Nitesh, and former deputy examination controller, Lalit Ganweer, were arrested by the CBI and placed in remand until January 13. CGPSC is responsible for hiring candidates for various state government roles through competitive exams.
The investigation into the case began in July 2024, when the CBI took over two cases from Raipur and Arjunda in Balod district. The allegations revolve around favoritism in the selection process for deputy collectors, deputy superintendents of police, and other senior government positions through exams conducted by CGPSC from 2020 to 2022.
The CBI claims that Taman Singh Sonwani, former secretary Jeevan Kishore Dhruv, and other officials colluded to recruit their relatives and acquaintances into key state government roles. Notably, Nitesh Sonwani was appointed as a deputy collector, while Sahil, Sonwani’s nephew, became a deputy superintendent of police (DSP). Additionally, Sunita Joshi, Sonwani’s sister’s daughter, secured a job as a labor officer, and Nitesh’s wife, Nisha Kosale, was selected as a deputy collector.
These irregularities in CGPSC recruitments had drawn sharp criticism from the opposition BJP, particularly during the 2023 assembly election campaign. The BJP accused the Congress of corruption and promised to investigate the matter if it won the polls. Following their victory in December 2023, the BJP has continued to press for accountability in the scandal.
