The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to take up a petition regarding allegations of widespread malpractices during the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Preliminary Exam, which was held on December 13, 2024. The petition raised concerns about a possible paper leak and other irregularities surrounding the exam.
The bench consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan told the petitioner that they could make their grievance to the Patna High Court. According to the bench, the Supreme Court was not a proper place where this matter would have been entertained in the first place.
The petition was filed by Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust, which also highlighted the violence used by Bihar police against peaceful protesters demanding the cancellation of the BPSC exam. The counsel argued that paper leaks had become a recurring problem in the state, suggesting a systemic issue that needed to be addressed.
In response, the bench said, “We understand your concerns, but it is not appropriate for us to hear this matter first. It would be more efficient for you to approach the Patna High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.”
The petition challenged the BPSC Preliminary Exam on the grounds of a paper leak, with the petitioner also accusing the Bihar police of using force to disperse civil service aspirants who were protesting.
Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, was granted “unconditional bail” by a Patna court on Monday after being sent to Beur Jail earlier for refusing to pay a bail bond. After his release, Kishor spoke to the protesting BPSC candidates, telling them, “There is no strength greater than the strength of the people.” He further revealed that the police had taken him to jail without the necessary paperwork to detain him.
Kishor has been on a hunger strike since January 2 in support of the students demanding the cancellation of the Integrated Combined (Preliminary) Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024. The students claim that the paper leak compromised the exam, and they are demanding the cancellation of the exam as a result.
With inputs from ANI.