Guwahati: Posi Gamlin, Block Education Officer (BEO) and an accused in the 2022 Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) paper leak scam case, has been terminated from service, bringing to a close nearly three years of suspension, reinstatement and departmental proceedings.
Gamlin was arrested in November 2022 by the State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), then known as the Special Investigation Cell, for his alleged role as a broker in the recruitment scam. He was among 51 persons arrested in what is widely regarded as one of the biggest irregularities in the state’s civil services examination process.
Following his arrest, he was placed under suspension. In January 2025, the Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Permanent Bench set aside the suspension on procedural grounds, leading to his reinstatement. The move triggered public criticism, after which the Education Department issued a fresh suspension order and initiated formal disciplinary proceedings.
An inquiry authority was appointed, and its report was submitted on February 5, 2026. According to the termination order issued on Wednesday, the disciplinary authority, after examining the charges, documentary evidence, the inquiry report and Gamlin’s written representation, found the allegations proved and amounting to grave misconduct under the applicable conduct rules.
Invoking Rule 11(ix) read with Rules 15(4), 15(5) and 15(6) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, the authority imposed the penalty of dismissal from service. The order states that the dismissal takes immediate effect and will ordinarily disqualify him from future government employment.
A copy of the inquiry report had been furnished to Gamlin along with a show-cause notice. He submitted his written response on April 10, 2025, which was considered before the final order was passed.
Other Education Department officials allegedly linked to the case include BEOs Iken Bagra and Radek Romin, PRTs Joi Sora and Tama Saroh, and Head Assistant Taniyang Gaduk.
The APPSC paper leak case surfaced in 2022 after whistleblower Gyamar Padang lodged a complaint alleging that question papers were leaked in advance to select candidates, including through a coaching institute. Padang was later awarded a gold medal posthumously by the state government in recognition of his role in exposing the scam.
The case led to widespread protests across Arunachal Pradesh, multiple arrests including those of APPSC officials, and parallel investigations by the ACB and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which was tasked with probing certain aspects of the case.
Reacting to Gamlin’s dismissal, former Pan-Arunachal Joint Steering Committee general secretary Tadak Nalo said the decision was in line with public expectations.
“There is no personal grudge against anyone, but anybody involved in the APPSC paper leak scam must be dismissed from their respective jobs,” he said, adding that due process must apply to all those found guilty.
However, he questioned why Taket Jerang, whom he described as the “main kingpin” of the scam, had not yet faced similar action.
“If, after following due process of law, anyone involved is getting terminated, then it is welcome news,” he said.