Ex-UKPSC member accused of pressing woman for “sexual favours”; investigation ordered

The senior superintendent of police in Dehradun has been instructed to investigate claims made by a woman that Jai Dev Singh, a former member of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC), pressured her for “sexual favours” in exchange for her selection in the general and women’s bench of the 2018 exam for the Uttarakhand Special Subordinate Education (Spokesman cadre-group “C”) Service. After receiving an audio clip and a written complaint about this via WhatsApp, the DGP took the appropriate steps.

She claimed to have done well on the test and been chosen for both the general and women’s branches. “In May 2019, I appeared for the interview for the women’s branch but I got rejected despite my interview went great. I appeared for the interview for the general branch in June, during which panellist Jai Dev Singh said he had taken my interview earlier as well so there is no need now. After the interview, I left for my home in Dehradun and half an hour later, I received a call from the selection commission that my documents are incomplete. They said I will be called tomorrow. The next day, Jai Dev Singh’s assistant called me and said Singh wants to meet me, asking me to reach at a particular location in 10 minutes. When I reached there, I got another call from his assistant who then asked me to come to his office located in an apartment building. At his office, Singh first sought money, then pressurised me for sexual favours or he will ruin my result” the women said.

The woman claimed that despite being a qualified candidate, she wasn’t chosen. In March 2020, she also sent a letter of complaint to the police inspector general (IG).

According to Indresh Maikhuri, the woman called the Garhwal secretary of the CPI(ML) Liberation, who then complained in writing to the chief minister, the state women’s commission, and the DGP.

However, Singh denied the charges. He asserted that the woman was making “false” accusations in an effort to acquire cheap publicity.

He further stated that members of the selection commission cannot choose to serve on a specific interview panel and that the selection process is transparent.

Singh served as a member of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission from June 2016 until September 2019, according to the information that is currently available.