APSC Chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul Convicted in Assam Cash-for-Jobs Scam

A special court has convicted former Assam Public Service Commission chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and 31 others in a cash-for-jobs case involving the appointment of agricultural development officers. The case emerged from a complaint alleging manipulation of candidate marks in exchange for money. The quantum of the sentence is yet to be announced.

A special court on Monday convicted former Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and 31 others in connection with a cash-for-jobs case related to the appointment of agricultural development officers (ADO) in Assam.

Special Judge Dipankar Thakuria acquitted 11 others due to a lack of evidence, while one person turned approver. The case, filed in 2017 at Bhangagarh police station, accused Paul and other officials of tampering with candidates' marks in exchange for money.

A candidate who failed to qualify registered the complaint, sparking the investigation. Paul, previously arrested in another cash-for-jobs case involving the Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE), was released on bail in March 2023. The CCE case is under investigation by a Special Investigative Team as directed by the Gauhati High Court.