Tainted APSC Chairman Rakesh Paul Gave Gold Chain, Rings During Gaurav Gogoi’s Wedding: Accused-turned-Approver to Inquiry Committee

The two reports that were tabled in the Assembly yesterday by CM reveal gross anomalies like enhancement of marks.

The Justice BK Sharma inquiry committee reports on the irregularities in the Assam Public Service Commission’s Combined Competitive Examinations 2013 & 2014 makes shocking revelations on the anomalies and malpractices and noted that the APSC was reduced to a sort of private guild where jobs were sold.

The report quotes an individual identified as Mrigen Saikia, an accused turned approver, as saying in his deposition that former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had instructed the personnel department to make Rakesh Paul the permanent chairman of APSC. Saikia further claimed before the commission that it was he who had introduced Rakesh Paul to Gogoi and they used to visit the residence of the former CM on a regular basis. Not only this, Saikia in his deposition claimed that Rakesh Paul used to carry gifts for the former CM and had also presented gold ornaments such as chain, rings and bracelets during the marriage of the then CM’s son Gaurav Gogoi. Saikia also gives details of the role played by a senior official in securing Rakesh Paul’s permanent APSC chairman post when the file was forwarded to the law department by the Department of Personnel.

The report notes that the statement by Mrigen Saikia reveals beyond imagination the level to which the APSC and for that matter the examinations conducted by it were reduced to by Rakesh Paul and his coterie.

The report notes that the gist of the statement of Mrigen Saijia is the tip of the iceberg considering the vastness of the revelations made in respect of the large-scale illegalities perpetrated by Paul in the selection process.

The two reports that were tabled in the Assembly yesterday by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reveal gross anomalies like the enhancement of marks and the use of fake answer scripts during the APSC exams in 2013 and 2014.

The reports also give details of the then APSC chairman Rakesh Pal’s rise to prominence allegedly with the blessings of prominent individuals who colluded with him along the way.

The commission also noted that the beneficiaries were “extended with helping hands by their so-called well-wishers, guardians and parents”.
While leaving it upon the government to decide on remedial measures based on the findings of the commission, it emphasised the need for “drastic measures” for the restoration of public faith on APSC.

The panel noted that Paul, during his incumbency from 2008 till his arrest in 2016, was associated with more than 200 selections, including CCEs, leading to apprehension of illegalities in other examinations also.

The APSC ‘cash-for-job’ scam was uncovered in 2016. Nearly 70 people, including then-chairman Rakesh Paul and over 50 civil and police officials, have been arrested so far.

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