In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Yatin Yadav, the alleged mastermind behind the 2022 Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) sub-inspector recruitment exam paper leak case. The arrest is part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation linked to the scandal, according to official sources.
Yadav, identified as a key figure in the alleged scheme, was apprehended in Jammu under the criminal provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources confirmed.
The JKSSB sub-inspector recruitment exam, conducted on March 27, 2022, was marred by allegations of malpractice following the revelation of the paper leak. The Enforcement Directorate’s case is rooted in an FIR and subsequent charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which initially uncovered the fraudulent activities.
Described as the “kingpin” of the paper leak operation, Yadav is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme involving other touts from Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. The network allegedly arranged for candidates willing to pay between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 30 lakh to gain access to the leaked exam paper, the sources stated.
Following the examination, the payments collected from the candidates, predominantly in cash, were funneled into Yadav’s bank accounts. This illicit revenue stream formed the crux of the money-laundering investigation.
Earlier in the probe, the ED had seized Yadav’s bank accounts and assets valued at approximately Rs 1 crore. This included a company called New Global Fumigation Corporation, along with properties linked to other accused individuals.
The arrest of Yadav marks a crucial step in the investigation, highlighting the ED’s commitment to cracking down on corruption and ensuring the integrity of recruitment processes in the region.