by Mrinal Talukdar
The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) scam, initially a case of corruption in civil service recruitment, has taken a dramatic turn. What began as an investigation into fraudulent selections under former APSC Chairman Rakesh Pal has now escalated into a major political battle, drawing a respected judge into the controversy.
The scandal has not only fuelled political clashes between the BJP and Congress but has also raised serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial inquiry itself.
The Biplab Sarma Judicial Committee and the Political Fallout
The case took a new twist when the Biplab Sarma Judicial Committee, set up to probe the scam, submitted its report to the Assam Assembly. While the report was expected to provide a transparent and impartial account of the corruption, it instead ignited fresh political turmoil. The BJP seized the findings to target the Congress, blaming the previous government for the scam.
However, opposition leaders and critics quickly pointed out inconsistencies in the report, accusing the committee of deliberately overlooking the role of influential BJP figures who had past links with Rakesh Pal and the APSC scam. This has led to growing doubts over whether the commission was truly independent or merely serving a political agenda.
Judge Biplab Sarma Under Scrutiny
As the controversy deepens, Judge Biplab Sarma, who led the judicial inquiry, has come under fire for allegedly conducting a selective investigation—shielding some individuals while targeting others.
The most serious allegation against him is that key witnesses, including Mukul Saikia, the lead investigating officer in the scam, were never called to testify.
In an interview with Pratidin Time’s Executive Editor Sunit Kr Bhuyan, Mukul Saikia revealed that he was never invited to give his testimony, despite leading the initial investigation.
“Perhaps someone didn’t want me to testify under oath,” Saikia remarked. He further alleged that witness statements, including those of accused Mrigen Saikia, appeared scripted and designed to protect key political figures.
The judicial commission’s reliance on Mrigen Saikia’s statements, while ignoring crucial testimonies, has reinforced public skepticism about the inquiry’s credibility. Critics argue that the report has been shaped to fit the ruling party’s narrative rather than uncovering the full truth.
Lack of Cooperation with the Judicial Commission
But one could defend Mr. Biplab Sharma, as his report clearly stated that he did not receive adequate support from Assam’s Home and Police Administration while conducting the inquiry. Despite issuing multiple public notices, serving officers like Mukul Saikia never got a chance to testify under oath because the department did not allow them to appear before the commission.
However, could Mr. Sharma not have directly summoned Mukul Saikia to testify under oath, knowing fully well that he was the primary investigating officer?
The commission’s report states that a public notice was published on October 14, 2019, in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and English, inviting responses for the inquiry. The deadline for submissions, initially set for November 18, 2019, was extended to January 2020.
While some responses were received, key stakeholders—including the Assam government’s Home and Political Department, the APSC, Assam Police, and candidates under investigation—failed to cooperate. This lack of response has further weakened confidence in the inquiry.
High Court’s orders and the Judicial Commission
The Assam Assembly debate and politics around it relied heavily on accused Mrigen Saikia’s statements, which helped the ruling BJP attack the Congress. However, the Guwahati High Court had previously rejected Saikia’s request to become an approver in the case, citing the following observations:
“The petitioner (Mrigen Saikia) did not fully disclose all the facts he knew about the offence and everyone involved, whether directly or indirectly. His statement about himself and others is incomplete. The case does not depend solely on the petitioner’s testimony, as the prosecution has 359 witnesses and three other key witnesses (approvers) who can help prove the charges without his statement.”
Despite this, the BJP used Saikia’s testimony before the judicial commission to build a narrative against the Congress, casting doubts on the neutrality of retired Judge Biplab Sarma.
Political Repercussions and Demands for a Fresh Investigation
Mukul Saikia’s revelations have sparked swift reactions. Jagadish Bhuyan, Secretary of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), has openly questioned the impartiality of the judicial inquiry, stating:
“Mukul Saikia’s revelations cast serious doubts on whether the commission was genuinely investigating the scam or simply executing a pre-determined agenda.”
Opposition parties are now demanding a fresh and independent investigation, arguing that if the judicial commission itself was compromised, its findings cannot be trusted. Public frustration is mounting over the perception that while the real masterminds behind the scam remain protected, smaller players have been made scapegoats.
Meanwhile, the BJP continues to use the scam as a political weapon against the Congress. However, the growing controversy surrounding Judge Biplab Sarma has complicated the narrative. If the judicial inquiry is proven to be biased, it could backfire on the ruling party, exposing them to new political challenges.
A Scandal That Refuses to Die
What started as a case of recruitment fraud has now become a full-fledged political battleground. Instead of bringing justice, the investigation has raised even more questions about fairness, credibility, and political influence.
With Judge Biplab Sarma now facing scrutiny, the controversy is far from over. As political tensions rise, the people of Assam find themselves caught in a struggle between justice, governance, and power.
Whether the real masterminds behind the scam will ever be exposed remains uncertain. But one thing is clear—the APSC scam is no longer just about fraudulent recruitment; it has become one of the defining political issues in Assam.
With fresh allegations, mounting political pressure, and growing public discontent, the APSC scam continues to dominate Assam’s political landscape. Whether the government will launch a new and fair investigation remains to be seen, but for now, the scandal shows no signs of fading away.