HCS paper leak trial resumes in Delhi court

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

The trial in the 2017 HCS (judicial) paper leak case has resumed in a Delhi court against nine accused. After a petition by an accused (Ayushi), the Supreme Court, on February 5, agreed to transfer the trial and directed the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to nominate a lower court for conducting proceedings.

2017 Exam for 109 judicial posts

• An exam for 109 posts of HCS (Judicial) was held on July 16, 2017
• In August, a candidate approached the Punjab and Haryana HC alleging the paper was leaked
• The exam was later scrapped and an FIR registered on September 19

The Chandigarh Police have accused Balwinder Sharma, then Punjab and Haryana High Court Registrar (Recruitment); Sunita, Sushila, Ayushi, Sunil Kumar Chopra, Kuldeep Singh, Subhash Chander Godara, Sushil Bhadu and Tejinder Bishnoi in the case.

Sharma is under suspension as departmental proceedings are pending against him. On August 11, a special judge heard the case at Rouse Avenue District Court Complex, Delhi, through video-conferencing. Bhadu and Bishnoi moved applications for the supply of documents. The prosecution has been asked to file a reply by the next date of hearing (August 31). The charges have already been framed against all nine accused. Chopra’s counsel, Malkit Singh Jandiala, who appeared in the Delhi court, said, “The investigation is still pending in the case. We will challenge the trial court’s order of framing of charges before the Delhi HC.” The exam for 109 posts of HCS (Judicial) was held on July 16, 2017. In August 2017, a candidate (Suman) approached the P&HHC alleging the paper was leaked. She produced audio recordings with Panchkula-resident Sushila and Delhi-resident Sunita to support her claim.

The exam was later scrapped and an FIR registered on September 19, 2017.

Five days prior to the exam, Sharma allegedly gave the question paper to Sunita, who topped the exam. Sunita was in “close relationship” with Sharma, stated the challan.

However, Sharma’s counsel RK Bamal said, “There was no recovery of the leaked question paper and Sharma has no connection with accused.”

As per the police challan, Ayushi claimed that her father Godara and maternal uncle Bhadu had arranged two candidates each for the sale of question paper. They were present at Radhe Krishan temple in Sector 18, Chandigarh, before the exam, where candidates stayed. Chopra was the president of temple management.

One of the candidates was Bishnoi (second topper in his category) who allegedly paid Rs 7 lakh. Sunita’s brother Kuldeep had allegedly arranged two candidates too.