In the APSC recruitment scam, the Gauhati High Court has rejected the bail plea of former APSC chairman Rakesh Pal in connection with the controversial Agricultural Development Officer (ADO) recruitment case.
The decision was delivered by a division bench comprising Justices Michael Zothankhuma and Rajesh Mazumdar, who refused to grant bail to Paul and upheld the seriousness of the charges against him.
Earlier, a special court had convicted Rakesh Pal along with others in the case, which revolves around alleged irregularities and corruption in the recruitment process under the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).As per the court’s earlier order dated July 22, 2024, Paul was sentenced to imprisonment following his conviction.
Challenging this verdict, Rakesh Pal and other accused had approached the Gauhati High Court seeking relief. However, the High Court declined to grant bail, indicating that the matter requires further judicial scrutiny.
The court has now scheduled the next hearing of the case from August 17, where detailed arguments will be taken up. The case was argued on behalf of the prosecution by senior advocates Pallav Kataki and Pankaj Pratim Dutta.
The APSC recruitment scam has remained one of Assam’s most high-profile corruption cases, raising serious concerns about transparency and fairness in government job appointments.