Bihar topper scam: SIT arrests former BSEB Secretary Harihar Nath Jha

Jha was arrested after former BSEB chiarman Lalkeshwar Singh repeatedly took his name during interrogation.

Patna

: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday arrested Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) secretary Harihar Nath Jha in connection with the fake toppers scandal in Patna.

The police said that Jha was arrested after evidences related to scam were found against him.

According to highly placed sources, Harihar Nath Jha is considered one of the key persons who can uncover many hidden links related to the scandal.

The police arrested Jha after he was questioned by the SIT on Monday. Earlier on June 6 the police had registered an FIR against him.

“Jha’s role seems vital in this case as former BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Singh kept taking his name during interrogation,” the police said after Jha was arrested.

Jha was arrested after the SIT found evidences which suggested that he had tampered the evaluation and answer sheets. The SIT is said to have recovered answer sheets from Kaimur district which indicates his involvement in the scandal.

“The SIT found his signatures on various documents which proved his involvement and they are also investigating his role in tampering with mark sheets,” a source said.

So far around 20 persons including former BSEB chairman Lalkeshwar Singh, his wife Usha Sinha, Vishun Rai College Principal Bachcha Rai and humanities topper Ruby Rai have been arrested.

Meanwhile, on Monday while opposing Ruby Rai’s arrest and charges levelled against her an organisation Prayas threatened to file a PIL in Patna High Court for, “keeping a minor in jail”.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle Prayas State Programme Director, Suresh Kumar said, “The police cannot arrest the minor. In toppers scandal case the arrested student is a victim and minor and her rights are being violated. We will file a PIL in Patna High Court on Wednesday”.

Earlier the opposition had opposed the arrest of Ruby Rai and had slammed the state government saying that, “students were being punished for mistakes of the system”. Police had arrested Ruby Rai after she failed in her re- examination on Saturday.