Guwahati: Assam's Director General of Police (DGP) has been appointed as the Chairman of the State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB) and ADGP Harmeet Singh as its Member Secretary after a major rejig in the recruiting body. ADGP LR Bishnoi and Inspector General Hiren Nath have been appointed as members of the body.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has reconstituted the SLPRB after its former Chairman Pradeep Kumar quit the post following the leakage of the question paper of the Sub-Inspector (Unarmed Branch) recruitment test.
Sharing the news on Twitter earlier today, ADGP (Law and Order) G P Singh wrote, "State Level Police Recruitment Board has been reconstituted. Assam Police would ensure free, fair, and transparent recruitment process."
Earlier, Pradip Kumar, the Chairman of the State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB) in Assam, had tendered his resignation after drawing flak over the leak of the question paper of the Assam Police SI (Unarmed Branch) exam. The retired IPS officer, who had been holding the post for several years, chose to step down after facing criticism over the leak.
After the leakage of the paper, an investigation has been carried out which has unearthed links between DIG (retd) P K Dutta and a nexus of criminals involved in a cash-for-jobs racket in the state. Kumar had been severely criticized for his alleged laxity and negligence.
Announcing his resignation on Sunday, Kumar said that "due to the conspiracy hatched by a vested interest circle, irregularities had taken place in the SI recruitment examination."
Former DIG P K Dutta, the prime accused in the case, has been absconding since last Wednesday. Police are currently on the lookout for the accused.