Why former Bihar DGP Sanjeev Kumar Singhal is under surveillance

A leading figure in the Bihar Police, Sanjeev Kumar Singhal wielded influence in every corridor of Sardar Patel Bhawan, the state police headquarters. As the Director General of Police (DGP) from September 2020 to December 2022, his word was the law that guided over 80,000 police personnel across the state.

Today, the situation has changed dramatically. The institution Singhal headed is now reportedly considering disciplinary action against him – an extraordinary fall for the 1988-batch IPS officer (now retired) whose authority once defined policing in Bihar.

The Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has pointed out lapses involving Singhal, who was also the chairman of the Central Selection Board of Constables (CSBC). His tenure in the post, from January to December 2023, is under scrutiny for alleged involvement in the leak of the Bihar Constable recruitment exam paper.

Although the EOU has not yet gathered enough evidence to bring criminal charges against Singhal, its investigation has cast suspicions of negligence and alleged procedural lapses on him. Under his leadership of the CSBC, a scandal had erupted that led to the cancellation of the much-anticipated constable recruitment exam. The recruitment drive had initially attracted 3.7 million applicants, competing for over 21,000 constable posts, with 1.8 million candidates deemed eligible to take the test. However, the recruitment process was abruptly halted on October 1, 2023 after the exam paper was leaked on social media, raising serious questions about the integrity of the recruitment system. In December, as evidence of lapses emerged, Singhal was forced to resign.

The EOU investigation has highlighted Singhal’s decision to award the contract for printing the examination papers to a press with dubious credentials. So far, the investigation has resulted in 74 cases being registered across Bihar and 150 candidates being arrested. An EOU letter to the current DGP Alok Raj has highlighted the “negligence” of former CSBC chairman Singhal, citing lapses in standard procedures. While criminal proceedings have not yet been initiated, the report has highlighted Singhal’s failure to preserve the sanctity of the examination process, particularly in ensuring secure handling of examination papers.

The investigation has revealed a breakdown in the chain of custody of the examination papers, from printing to transportation. Initial evidence suggests the involvement of an organised criminal gang, but further investigation is required. The EOU has already questioned Singhal over his choice of printing press, which appears to have bypassed proper checks and balances. The investigation suggests that members of the syndicate infiltrated the process and tampered with the papers before they reached the examination centres.

As the investigation continues, the scandal has raised concerns about the credibility of state recruitment exams in Bihar, casting a shadow over Singhal’s legacy. Unfortunately, document leaks are not new in Bihar. The state has seen several recruitment exams cancelled in recent years due to similar malpractices.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating another high-profile case: the leak of the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam question paper, which was allegedly traced to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. Over two dozen arrests have been made by the CBI, Bihar Police and the EOU in connection with the case. During the Supreme Court proceedings, the CBI revealed that organised gangs operating in Bihar were responsible for the leak.

In response to the growing number of examination-related irregularities, the Bihar government passed the Bihar Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill in July 2024. The legislation makes all offences related to examination cheating punishable and non-bailable, and provides for stringent penalties, including imprisonment for a term of three to five years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. The law is aligned with the Central Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which provides for even harsher penalties – imprisonment for a term of five to 10 years and fines starting from Rs 1 crore for organised crime syndicates involved in such violations. Several other states, such as Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Rajasthan, have introduced similar laws.

Under the new Bihar law, those found guilty of malpractices could face up to five years in jail and heavy fines. Service providers involved in administering exams could also be punished with fines of up to Rs 1 crore, suspension of services for four years and seizure of their assets in cases related to organised crime. These service providers can also be held responsible for bearing part of the cost of re-conducting exams marred by such scandals. Investigations will now be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to ensure greater accountability.

As the investigation continues, Singhal’s once-impregnable reputation has been tarnished, reminding us that in the corridors of power in Bihar, no one is beyond reproach. The case also serves as a reflection of the broader challenges facing public recruitment systems in the state, where the fight for transparency and fairness remains an ongoing battle.

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