Gauhati High Court Suspends Verdict in APSC ADO Cash-for-Jobs Scam, Grants Bail to 26 Accused

The Gauhati High Court has suspended the verdict of the Court of Special Judge, Assam, in the high-profile APSC Agricultural Development Officer (ADO) cash-for-jobs scam. The court granted bail to 26 of the accused, offering them temporary relief from the penalties imposed.

The High Court suspended the July 29 sentence, which had included a 14-year prison term and a Rs. 2 lakh fine for former APSC chairman Rakesh Paul. Two other former APSC members had received 10-year sentences, while 29 candidates involved were sentenced to four years in prison.

The scam, which exposed widespread corruption within the APSC, came to light in 2015-16. The investigation began after a 2017 complaint revealed irregularities in the 2014 ADO selection process. The case involved 44 accused, including former APSC members and 35 ADOs.