Why former Bihar DGP Sanjeev Kumar Singhal is under surveillance

Sanjeev Kumar Singhal, a towering figure at the helm of Bihar Police, wielded influence in every corridor of Sardar Patel Bhawan, the state’s police headquarters. As Director General of Police (DGP) from September 2020 to December 2022, his word was law, followed by over 80,000 policemen across the state.

Today, however, the tables have turned dramatically. The same institution that once commanded Singhal is now reportedly considering disciplinary action against him – an extraordinary setback for the 1988-batch IPS officer (now retired) whose authority once defined policing in Bihar.

The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has pointed out lapses related to Singhal, who also served as the Chairman of the Central Selection Board of Constables (CSBC). His tenure in the post from January to December 2023 is under surveillance due to suspected involvement in the Bihar Constable Recruitment Examination papers leak.

Although the EOU has not yet collected enough evidence to press charges against Singhal, its investigations have raised suspicions about him for alleged negligence and procedural lapses. Under his leadership of the CSBC, a scandal had erupted, leading to the cancellation of the much-awaited police recruitment exam. The recruitment drive had initially attracted 3.7 million applicants competing for over 21,000 police posts, with 1.8 million candidates deemed eligible to appear in the exam. However, the recruitment process was abruptly halted on October 1, 2023, after the exam papers were leaked on social media, raising serious doubts about the integrity of the recruitment system. In December, when evidence of lapses emerged, Singhal was forced to resign.

The EOU investigation has highlighted Singhal’s decision to award the contract for printing the exam papers to a printing company of dubious credibility. So far, the investigation has registered 74 cases and arrested 150 candidates across Bihar. In a letter from the EOU to current DGP Alok Raj, Singhal was accused of “negligence” for not following standard operating procedures. Although no criminal case has been initiated yet, the report highlighted Singhal’s failure to maintain the sanctity of the examination process, especially with regard to the safe handling of the exam papers.

The investigation found a break in the chain of custody of the exam papers – from printing to transportation. Initial evidence points to the involvement of an organised criminal gang, but further investigation is required. The EOU has already questioned Singhal about his choice of printing company, 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 exam centres.

While investigations are still ongoing, the scandal has raised doubts about the credibility of Bihar’s public recruitment exams and cast a shadow over Singhal’s legacy. Unfortunately, paper leaks are not a new phenomenon in Bihar. The state has seen several recruitment exams cancelled over the past few years due to similar malpractices.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating another high-profile case – the leak of the exam papers for the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam, which is traced to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. In connection with the case, the CBI, Bihar Police and EOU have arrested over two dozen people. During the Supreme Court proceedings, the CBI revealed that organised gangs operating in Bihar were responsible for the breach.

In response to the rising number of exam irregularities, the Bihar government passed the Bihar Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill in July 2024. This bill makes all offences related to exam cheating punishable without bail and provides for stringent punishments, including imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. The bill is in line with the central Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which provides for even harsher punishments – imprisonment 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 enacted similar laws.

Under the new legislation in Bihar, those found guilty of misconduct face up to five years in jail and heavy fines. Service providers involved in conducting the exams can also be fined up to Rs 1 crore, banned from services for four years and confiscated assets in cases related to organised crime. These service providers can also be held liable if they have to bear part of the cost of re-taking exams tainted by such scandals. The investigations will now be led by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to ensure greater accountability.

As the investigation continues, Singhal’s once untouchable reputation is under a mountain, a reminder that no one is above reproach in Bihar’s power centers. The case is also a reflection of the larger challenges facing the state’s public recruitment systems, where the battle for transparency and fairness is still ongoing.

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