Rakesh Paul Sentenced to 14 Years in Cash-for-Jobs Scandal

Former Assam Public Service Commission chairman Rakesh Paul has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his involvement in a cash-for-jobs scandal. Two other former APSC members, Basanta Kumar Doley and Samedur Rahman, received 10-year sentences. The case involved tampering with marks of candidates in the agricultural development officer recruitment exam.

Rakesh Paul, former chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission, was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment by a special court on Monday. The sentencing is in connection with a cash-for-jobs scandal involving the recruitment of agricultural development officers.

Two other former APSC members, Basanta Kumar Doley and Samedur Rahman, were handed 10-year sentences. Special Judge Dipankar Thakuria stated that Paul and the two former members were each sentenced to seven years for cheating, an additional seven years for forgery, and 10 years under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case surfaced after an aspirant, who failed to qualify the test, lodged a complaint alleging that the marks of another candidate had been increased in exchange for money. Paul and others were convicted for tampering with exam marks.