The sentencing for 32 individuals, including former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) chairman Rakesh Paul, convicted in the cash-for-jobs scandal concerning the appointment of agricultural development officers (ADO) in Assam, is set for August 29.
Special Judge Dipankar Thakuria presided over the hearings but reserved the decision on the quantum of punishment.
In total, 44 individuals were implicated in the case, which involved four members and an employee of the commission, three middlemen, and 36 candidates. On Monday, the court convicted 32 individuals, including Rakesh Paul, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, following a case registered at Bhangagarh police station in 2017.
Judge Thakuria acquitted 11 others due to insufficient evidence, while APSC member Binita Rynjha turned approver.
The case was initiated after a candidate, who did not qualify for the position, filed a complaint alleging that another candidate’s marks had been altered in exchange for money. This led to an investigation prompted by an RTI application filed by the complainant, seeking information on changes made to the marks tabulation.
Rakesh Paul, along with other APSC members and officials, was previously arrested in connection with another cash-for-jobs scandal linked to the Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) for civil and police recruitment.
Since 2016, the Assam Police have arrested nearly 70 individuals, including Paul and 57 civil service officials, for similar irregularities. The ongoing investigation into the CCE case is being conducted by a Special Investigative Team (SIT) under the supervision of the Gauhati High Court.