ED searches premises of former CM Harish Rawat’s PA in 2016 VPDO exam case

This file image is used for representational purposes only. | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has searched several places in Dehradun, including the premises of a former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to then Chief Minister Harish Singh Rawat, in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) Gram Panchayat Vikas Adhikari (VPDO) Examination, 2016, the agency said on Friday (September 11, 2026).“Searches were conducted at the residential premises of the then Chairman and the then Secretary of UKSSSC, the then Exam Controller, the owner of the private computer agency engaged for OMR processing, and associated middlemen linked to the conspiracy,” it said.The ED said the residence of Chandan Singh Jeena, presently serving as personal assistant to Mr. Rawat and who was earlier OSD to him during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2017, was also searched.“Investigation has revealed that OMR answer sheets were diverted from UKSSSC’s secure custody to the private residence of the then Secretary, UKSSSC, where the roll numbers of under-filled OMR sheets were noted down and handed over to private computer-agency personnel to fraudulently fill and alter answer bubbles before resealing, in exchange for illegal gratification routed through middlemen,” the agency said.The ED said it seized from Mr. Jeena’s premises an “unaccounted” sum of ₹32 lakh, 13 gold coins and seven gold chains weighing about 200.5 gm, and 12 luxury wristwatches of expensive brands. The agency froze over ₹52 lakh lying in the bank accounts of Mr. Jeena and his family members.“The total value of assets seized and frozen at the residence of Shri Chandan Singh Jeena presently stands at about ₹1.28 crore, which is likely to increase with the value of the remaining 12 luxury watches being separately ascertained,” said the ED. Published - September 12, 2026 01:31 am IST