A significant controversy has emerged in Manipur regarding the alleged manipulation of recruitment results for information assistant positions under the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR). An RTI response has revealed discrepancies in the awarded marks, suggesting potential deliberate manipulation.
The RTI query, filed by candidates Aribam Bishwajit Sharma and Heirangkhongjam Bhavan Meitei, identified mathematically improbable scores awarded to five out of nine selected candidates. These scores—95, 93, 91, 89, and 69—are inconsistent with the examination format, which consisted of 50 questions, each worth two marks, and had no negative marking.
In light of these findings, Aribam Bishwajit Sharma has submitted a petition to the High Court of Manipur. The petition names the state of Manipur, represented by its Secretary/Commissioner, and ten additional respondents. It alleges intentional manipulation to benefit certain candidates and seeks to annul the examination results.
The petition also demands a forensic examination of the answer sheets of all selected candidates, including Sharma’s, to detect any tampering. If manipulation is confirmed, the petition requests that the court order the filing of a suo motu FIR against the implicated examiners and officials.
The High Court of Manipur has addressed the case on August 30 and scheduled the next hearing for October 7. The petitioner has been directed to serve notice to the private respondents and file an affidavit of proof of service. Meanwhile, the General Attorney for the state respondents has requested three weeks to file counter affidavits.
The disputed recruitment examination was held on November 13, 2021, with results announced on March 14, 2024, nearly three years later. The recruitment process, which was initially advertised on August 16, 2021, followed state Cabinet approval for the direct recruitment of 64 contract-based Class-III and IV posts under the DIPR.
Following a review of his answer paper, prompted by a directive from the Information Commission, Sharma suspected manipulation of his marks. This led him to file the petition seeking redress for the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
