SSC paper leak case: SC rejects PIL to seek CBI investigation

The Centre informed SC that the probe agency has already started investigating it

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking a CBI probe into the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) paper leakage case after the Centre informed it that the probe agency has already started investigating it.

The paper of an examination of the SSC, a government body which conducts examinations to recruit staff at multiple levels in various ministries and departments, was allegedly leaked, leading to protests from job seekers.

"It has been stated on behalf of respondent, Central Bureau of Investigation that CBI has registered Preliminary Enquiry on March 8, 2018 against unknown officers/officials of SSC, Government of India and other unknown persons for misconduct.

"From the aforesaid, it is clear that CBI is undertaking the investigation and will conclude the same in accordance with law. Therefore, no order on this petition is required at this stage. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench comprising Justices R K Agrawal and A M Sapre said.

The top court on March 12 had sought a response from the Centre on the plea without issuing any notice.

The petition, filed by advocate M L Sharma, had sought an investigation into the allegations of leakage of questions of the Combined Graduate Level (Tier-II) Examination 2018 held from February 17 to 21.

Amid the protests over alleged paper leak, the SSC had recently recommended a CBI probe into it. Job aspirants have been protesting since February 27, seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged paper leak.

SSC CGL has a four-tier examination system and tier I and tier II are 'Computer Based Examination', while in tier III and IV, job applicants take up a descriptive paper and a computer proficiency test or skill test.