HPSSC paper leak main accused attempts suicide at vigilance office

Hamirpur, August 25

The main accused of Himachal Pradesh Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC) paper leak scam allegedly attempted suicide on Saturday.

The accused Uma Azad was called for questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the Vigilance Department office, where she consumed an overdose of medicine prescribed for depression. Sources from the department said she was called in the 14th FIR that was registered to investigate the selection exam of junior storekeeper held under post code 822 of the dissolved HPSSC.

Uma Azad consumed the pills while she was given a questionnaire by a woman vigilance officer. The accused’s son raised the alarm and she was rushed to the hospital. In a video that went viral, the accused said that she tried to kill herself as she was being harassed in the name of investigation by the SIT.

ASP (Vigilance) Kulbhushan Verma said the accused did this to avoid questioning, adding that the matter was reported to the police station and a case was also registered.

The HPSSC paper leak scam was exposed in December 2022 and over 22 tests conducted by the commission went under scanner. The incident led to the dissolution of the commission in January 2023. Uma Azad remained jailed for long time, but she was released on bail with conditions to be present before the investigation officers as and when summoned.

Was jailed for long time

• The HPSSC paper leak scam was exposed in December 2022 and over 22 tests conducted by the commission went under scanner
• The incident not only led to the dissolution of the commission in January 2023, but also shifting of the staff to other departments
• Uma Azad remained jailed for long time, but she was released on bail with conditions to be present before the investigation officers as and when summoned