Trial Begins for Ex-DSP, Inspector in 2011 Chandigarh Police Recruitment Scam
The trial of retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jagbir Singh and Inspector Nasib Singh in connection with the alleged 2011 Chandigarh Police recruitment scam commenced on July 24, after a court dismissed their discharge applications. The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr Harpreet Kaur framed charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy, forgery, using forged documents as genuine, and criminal breach of trust.
Both accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The next hearing is scheduled for September 9 for prosecution evidence.
According to the prosecution, the recruitment process for 11 posts of Water Carrier (Class IV) in the Indian Reserve Battalion, Chandigarh, began in 2010. Of 22,036 applicants, 827 qualified the first trade test. However, the compilation committee, headed by then commandant Arun Kampani, detected discrepancies in mark allocation, leading to cancellation of the entire process. A subsequent inquiry by Ram Niwas Meena reportedly found irregularities and alterations in original marks, prompting a Vigilance Cell investigation and the current case.
Defence lawyers for Inspector Nasib Singh argued that he was falsely implicated due to a faulty investigation and that his role was limited to awarding marks during the trade test. They contended that the alleged alterations did not constitute forgery and that the CFSL report did not attribute the changes to him. Similarly, retired DSP Jagbir Singh's defence maintained that there was no evidence linking him to any overwriting or mark alterations, citing statements from other personnel and the CFSL report's inability to identify the author of questioned writings.
The Chandigarh Administration countered, stating that the compilation committee's report found serious irregularities and alterations in original marks awarded by members of the first trade test committee, leading to the reference to Vigilance.
