Ahmedabad: Candidates taking the Western Railway’s departmental promotion examination for the post of staff welfare inspector (SWI) allegedly attended coaching sessions where they were taught to avail themselves of funds to pay bribes, according to a CBI investigation.The classes, ostensibly focused on the syllabus, also allegedly taught candidates how to handle vigilance inquiries.Railway sources told TOI that the classes were allegedly run from commercial premises rented by the wife of a senior railway officer.“Candidates were allegedly told how cheating would be facilitated during the examination, what logistical support would be available from railway officials, and how to respond if questioned during a vigilance inquiry,” a senior railway officer said.Another railway officer said candidates were allegedly briefed about obtaining loans from a credit cooperative society before the examination.“An internal inquiry had also examined a spike in loan disbursals before departmental examinations,” the officer said. “Investigators found that several candidates secured loans close to the examination dates.”According to railway sources, the alleged price for securing promotion as an SWI ranged between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh depending on the candidate. Investigators suspect some candidates paid between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh to secure favourable results.CBI registered the case after receiving a complaint from the Western Railway’s vigilance department alleging irregularities in the March 16, 2024, computer-based examination.Of the 100 candidates who appeared, four railway employees scored exceptionally high marks in a narrow range of 87.67% to 90.33%.CBI sources said all four had allegedly obtained loans shortly before the examination and financial transactions, including ATM withdrawals and money transfers through relatives or friends, were detected around the exam period.The investigation also found that the examination started nearly two hours behind schedule and that the examination session remained active on the server for more than two days instead of being closed immediately after completion.“The delayed upload of the question paper and the server remaining active after the examination are among the issues under investigation,” a CBI officer said.The agency has also alleged that remote-access software, AnyDesk, was installed on the examination server, potentially allowing access after the examination.Investigators are examining allegations that the server was later formatted and that large unexplained credits were found in the bank accounts of some railway officials linked to the examination.CBI has booked senior railway officials, technical staff, clerical employees, and four promoted welfare inspectors under conspiracy, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.BoxCrooked path to promotionCoaching classes allegedly run from commercial premises rented by the wife of a senior railway officerCandidates were allegedly told how cheating would be facilitatedThey were coached on responding to vigilance inquiriesCandidates were allegedly briefed about obtaining loans from a credit cooperative society before the exam
