The CBI’s FIR on the alleged recruitment scam at the Belgaum Cantonment Board reveals that candidates seeking jobs like ‘mazdoor’, ‘dai’, ‘coolie’, and ‘chowkidar’ reportedly paid bribes ranging from ₹15-25 lakh. The FIR, released publicly on Friday, names five officials of the Cantonment Board along with 14 candidates accused of involvement in the bribery scandal.
Last year, the CBI initiated an investigation based on a complaint from a board member alleging corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process conducted in 2022-23.
According to officials, the preliminary findings indicated that in 2022-23, 31 candidates were hired for positions such as mechanic, assistant sanitary inspector, coolie, mali, peon, and dai.
The individuals booked by the CBI, including Officer Superintendent Mahalingeshwar Y. Talukdar, Computer Programmer Basavaraj S. Gudodagi, Data Entry Operator Prakash C. Goundadkar, Head Master Parasharam S. Birje, and Assistant Teacher Uday S. Patil, were involved in various roles in the examination process under the directives of the then CEO.
According to the CBI, the deceased former CEO of the Cantonment Board, Anand K., was responsible for overseeing and appointing authorities in the recruitment process. He was alleged to have been involved in setting the question papers and answer keys for the examinations.
The CBI has alleged that in collaboration with the five officials, Anand K. solicited and received bribes ranging from ₹15-25 lakh from applicants to manipulate the selection process.
“Their unlawful intentions and subsequent actions led to the selection of candidates through dishonest and illegal methods,” the CBI stated in the FIR.
The CBI investigation revealed that the examination question paper was exclusively in English, posing difficulties for many candidates who couldn’t comprehend it.
“It is also alleged that deserving candidates were either disqualified or not selected because they couldn’t pay bribes to the mentioned public officials. Additionally, while applicants from across the nation participated in the exam, all successful candidates were reportedly from Belgaum or its vicinity.”
“The FIR further alleged that a significant number of the selected candidates have familial or acquaintance ties with the Cantonment Board officials.”
