Former Chhattisgarh IAS Officer Accused of Paper Leak, Appointing Relatives to Key Posts
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Taman Singh Sonwani, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and former chairperson of the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC), in connection with an alleged paper leak. A special court in Raipur granted the ED seven days of custodial remand on July 25 for further investigation.
According to the ED, Sonwani allegedly amended recruitment rules in 2021 to benefit his family members. Investigators claim that after these changes, he facilitated the appointment of his relatives to positions such as deputy collector and deputy superintendent of police (DSP). The agency has not yet named the relatives or specified the exact rule changes.
The case stems from broader investigations into irregularities in the CGPSC examinations, including the alleged leak of question papers for state civil services exams. Sonwani served as chairperson of the commission from 2019 to 2022. The ED’s money laundering probe is based on a first information report (FIR) filed by the Chhattisgarh Police’s Economic Offences Wing.
Sonwani’s arrest marks a significant step in the investigation into systemic corruption in the state’s recruitment processes. The CGPSC has faced scrutiny in recent years over multiple alleged paper leaks, leading to protests by aspirants and demands for reforms.
Legal experts note that the ED’s custody will allow investigators to confront Sonwani with evidence and uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy. The accused has not yet commented publicly on the allegations. The case continues to develop as authorities work to ensure transparency in public examinations.
