UP govt fires PRB head over negligence in police recruitment paper leak

The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a decisive step by removing Renuka Mishra, a 1990-batch IPS officer, from her position as the chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board. This major action comes in the wake of alleged negligence during the police recruitment examinations held on February 17 and 18. Mishra has been temporarily sidelined as she awaits her next posting, while DG Vigilance Rajiv Krishna has been appointed as the new chairman.

The move follows the state government's decision on February 24 to scrap the entire police constable recruitment process, which had attracted close to five million aspirants. The cancellation was prompted by allegations from job seekers regarding question paper leaks and other irregularities. Consequently, the government ordered a retest to be conducted within the next six months.

In a stern directive, the state government has instructed the Recruitment Board to initiate legal action by registering an FIR against any level of negligence. The case will be investigated by the Special Task Force (STF), and the authorities have been given instructions to take the strictest action against individuals or institutions found guilty.

Reflecting the Yogi government's zero-tolerance stance, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced strict action in the event of a paper leak during the police constable recruitment examination conducted by the Recruitment Board. He has warned of major repercussions for the criminals involved in the incident.

During a recent visit to Gorakhpur, the Chief Minister emphasized the gravity of the issue, stating, "Those playing with the future of the youth in the state will rot in jail for the rest of their lives while the properties of their parents and grandparents will be confiscated."

Addressing the matter on February 25, Adityanath reiterated, "Playing with the future of the youth is a national sin, and those indulging in it will be taught a lesson that they will remember for their entire life. The action taken against such elements will be set as an example for the future."

He further warned, "The state government will take harsh action against those who try to play with the future of youth (by leaking question papers of competitive exams)." Issuing an open warning to such elements, he said, "The state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for such people who try to compromise with the sanctity of competitive exams."