Jharkhand High Court on Thursday heard in part an appeal of the state that challenged an earlier order to set aside the dismissal of government servants, including a deputy chief minister’s brother, who were appointed after clearing the second JPSC exams.

The matter came under the court’s scanner nearly two years ago after the government sacked 19 officers following allegations that their answer scripts were tampered with. Deputy chief minister Sudesh Mahto’s brother Mukesh, who was posted as a DSP, was also among the 19. The officers were terminated from service on August 10, 2010.

In July 2011, a single judge bench of the high court ordered the state to retain the services of Mahto and the 18 other officers, observing that they were not given a chance to explain but sacked arbitrarily.

The government then appealed before the high court challenging the order.

A PIL filed by one Budhdev Oraon was also heard by the court in connection with the matter on Thursday. Oraon sought a CBI probe into the second JPSC examinations.

The petitioner’s counsel, Rajeev Kumar, argued that the 19 officers were either related to or had close ties with VIPs or JPSC members.

The case will again be heard on May 7.