A 26-year-old police constable was found dead on Saturday on suspicion of being involved in alleged irregularities in the ongoing constable recruitment drive in Rajnandgaon. This information was given by Chhattisgarh Police on Sunday. Congress has demanded a high-level investigation into the incident, which has caused political controversy.
The deceased, who was from the Mahasamund district, worked at the Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai (KCG) area’s Jalbandha police outpost. He had recently been assigned duty for the constable recruitment drive. “He was found hanging from a tree in Rampur village near Rajnandgaon,” said superintendent of police (SP) Mohit Garg, adding that his family was informed.
According to police, a letter on the constable’s left palm stated that senior officials were being protected while lower-level staff members were being set up in the recruitment scam. “Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide, but further investigations are ongoing,” Garg said.
On November 16, the 8th Battalion of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) launched the recruiting campaign for constables for the Rajnandgaon police range, which includes four districts: Rajnandgaon, KCG, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, and Kabirdham. The Hyderabad-based Timing Technology Company is providing technical support for the process. According to Garg, the company is in charge of handling data entry and storage, supplying all technological equipment, and limiting access to hiring data.
An FIR was lodged after discrepancies in the marks given during the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) came to light, and several personnel, including Ratnakar, were removed from duty. On December 17, Deputy SP Tanupriya Thakur, who was in charge of the shot put competition during the PET, submitted a formal complaint after seeing irregularities in a candidate’s marks.
The brother of the deceased claimed that the constable had called him on Friday and informed him that he was being unfairly accused of being involved in the recruitment scam. “He said the constable accused senior officials of orchestrating the scam while framing lower-level staff,” said an officer.
In a social media post, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel highlighted the note that was found on the constable’s hand. “The statement ‘employees are being framed, officers are being saved’ is alarming. This shows corruption has taken place, and senior officers are involved. A thorough investigation is essential,” Baghel said.
Police officers and the technical team that assisted with the hiring process are being questioned by authorities while the case is still being investigated.
Join our whatsapp group for Latest updates