Former PPSC chairman gets 7-yr jail in cash-for-job scam

The cash-for-jobs scam in the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), revealed in March 2002, was the first proof on how employments were being made by the commission in Punjab.

Relatives of judges, bureaucrats, politicians and other influential persons were recruited by the PPSC to top posts after heavy bribes were paid to Sidhu.

Ravinder Pal Sidhu, a PPSC Chairman, was arrested on March 25, 2002, from his official residence while accepting a bribe of Rs5 lakh from Bhupjit Singh, an Excise and Taxation Inspector. Bhupjit was affirmed a premier government job in state services.

His arrest was probably the first of a person holding a constitutional post and it immediately became the national headlines. He was arrested by the state Vigilance Bureau, and the consequent raids at his home and other places led to the recovery of over Rs80 crore.

A sum of over Rs8.15 crore was found stacked in his bank lockers in Chandigarh. Besides, other investments amounting to Rs25 crore were found.

Sidhu is pronounced guilty and sentenced to 7-yr jail by a Patiala court on April 7, 2015.