Bathinda: A surprising result in a written examination for group B officers in Punjab govt — 22 of 100 toppers from Bathinda — has prompted Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board to ask the vigilance bureau to investigate complaints of paper leak.The examination for over 400 posts of naib tehsildar, senior assistants, senior assistant inspectors, district treasury officer, and treasury officer was conducted by the board through Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) on Dec 21, 2025. The result declared on Jan 9 showed that a number of candidates from Bathinda secured abnormally high marks. According to aspirants protesting at the district library on Wednesday, the top positions were dominated by a handful of families. The protesters alleged that the topper scored 117.5 out of 120 marks, while his sibling secured the fifth position with 115 marks. Similarly, the second-place holder (117.5) and fourth-place holder (116.25) are cousins, and a husband-and-wife duo secured the sixth and seventh positions. The aspirants said when Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann visited Bathinda library on Jan 11, they called for an investigation into how these candidates secured such high marks when they performed poorly in other exams in the past, such as those for patwari and labour inspector. Sources suggest that the paper reached Bathinda a day ahead of the exam and was placed under the custody of the district education officer (secondary). Following the board’s request, the vigilance bureau has begun its probe. An official said, “A preliminary probe was conducted following which a regular inquiry has been initiated.” MSID:: 126981974 413 |
