Guwahati, March 29: Former chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), Rakesh Paul, has been released from jail after serving a six-year prison sentence in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam. The scandal had rocked the state, leading to a massive investigation and the arrest of several individuals involved in the corruption scheme.
Paul was granted bail on March 24, after his seventh plea for release was accepted by the special judge’s court in Guwahati. However, his release comes with certain conditions, including obtaining court permission before traveling outside Guwahati and cooperating fully with all further investigations into the APSC scam. He is also prohibited from intimidating key witnesses in the case.
The APSC scam had surfaced when a candidate for the post of Agriculture Development Officer had admitted to paying a bribe of Rs 50,000 to Paul for recruitment, but did not receive the position. The scandal led to Paul’s arrest in November 2016.
Despite his release, the case against Paul is still subjudice, and he must adhere to the conditions set forth by the court. His release has garnered significant attention, as he had been denied bail multiple times before being granted release in March 2023.
