Patna, May 23: Special vigilance judge, Patna, Ajit Kumar Sinha today rejected the anticipatory bail petition of 16 persons, including senior Congress MLA Sadanand Singh, in connection with the irregularities in recruitment of 90 lower-division clerks in the Bihar Assembly between 2000 and 2005. Singh was the Assembly speaker during this period.

The special court had reserved its order on May 20 after hearing the bail petitions of Singh and other accused persons. The petition was filed in the court on May 13.

The state vigilance investigation bureau has made 42 persons, including Singh and 11 officials, accused in this case.

The FIR lodged by the bureau says neither the speaker nor the officials had the power to recruit people. It also says that the appointments were made violating the contents of one ordinance and misinterpretation of Patna High Court order.

According to the FIR, Jhauri Prasad Pal, former secretary of Bihar Assembly, kept answer books of one paper with him for a long duration.

Another official, Nawal Kishore Singh, deputy secretary, has been made accused of lowering the cut-off marks to extend benefits to his near and dear ones. He also manipulated the marks of these persons, says the FIR.

Singh’s nephew was appointed as lower division clerk in the Assembly.

Undersecretary Rameshwar Prasad Choudhary checked answer books of 26 of the 30 candidates who allegedly were the beneficiaries of the undue favour extended during the appointment process.

Another accused official, Raj Kishore Rawat, who held the rank of undersecretary, too checked some of the answer books and played a pivotal role at the interview stage. Rawat’s son Sanjay Kumar Rawat too was selected for appointment through the same examination.

Kameshwar Prasad Singh, private secretary to the former speaker, has been accused of tampering the marks obtained by the aspirants.