Former Chhattisgarh PSC Chair Taman Singh Sonawani Arrested by ED for Paper Leak and Corruption

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested former Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission chair Taman Singh Sonawani on July 25 under the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act, 2002. He was presented before a special court in Raipur and placed in ED custody until July 30.

Investigators allege that Sonawani conspired with government officials and private individuals to leak exam papers and manipulate the CGPSC state service examinations held in 2020‑2021, securing senior posts for relatives and favoured candidates. A 2021 amendment to recruitment rules removed the term “nephew” from the definition of family, allegedly facilitating his relatives’ selection.

The case is based on a First Information Report filed by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti‑Corruption Bureau and subsequent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiries. Portions of the illicit proceeds were kept in cash and transferred through layered banking transactions. Sonawani gave evasive answers during questioning. The ED says the arrest aims to trace the money trail and identify other participants. The investigation continues.