New Delhi [India]: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea alleging widespread malpractices during the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Preliminary Exam held on December 13, 2024.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan suggested that the petitioner take the grievances to the Patna High Court.
“We understand your sentiments attached… but we cannot be the court of first instance. We feel it will be appropriate and more expeditious that the petitioner approached the Patna High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution,” the bench remarked.
The petition, filed by the Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust, accused the BPSC of irregularities, including a paper leak, and criticized the Bihar police’s alleged brutality against peaceful protesters demanding the cancellation of the examination.
“Now this has become a routine, how paper leaks are happening,” said the petitioner’s counsel, emphasizing the growing concern over exam malpractices.
Protests erupted across Bihar as civil service aspirants called for the cancellation of the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024. The protests turned controversial after reports of police action against demonstrators surfaced.
Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor, who has been leading the protest in support of the aspirants, was granted “unconditional bail” by a Patna court on Monday, hours after being sent to Beur jail. Kishor had been on a fast-unto-death since January 2, demanding justice for the aspirants.
Addressing the protesters upon his release, Kishor said, “There is no strength bigger than people’s strength.” He alleged that the police had no legal basis to detain him, stating, “The Police took me to Beur jail, but they had no documents to keep me there.”
The controversy surrounding the BPSC Preliminary Exam continues to draw significant public attention, with calls for transparency and accountability in the examination process.