Kohima, June 21: A deputy secretary and an executive engineer are among 11 people arrested for alleged malpractices in the Nagaland Public Service Commission.

Both senior officers are on anticipatory bail from Gauhati High Court, an official source said.

Public allegations regarding malpractices in the system had forced the government to institute an inquiry into the case.

In a raid on two houses in the state capital early this month, incriminating documents were recovered following which 36 people were interrogated by the commission.

The inquiry revealed that a racket collected the names and phone numbers of prospective candidates from the Public Service Commission forms, contacted the candidates promising to help them clear the exams in return of remuneration.

Most of these candidates are initially asked to pay Rs 10 lakh, but after negotiations the deal was made according to their financial capability, an official source said.

The candidates have paid money ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh for question papers, which were to be leaked 2-3 days before the exams.

Investigations ascertained that Rs 6 lakh was paid by one Imosanen to P.I. Jamir as the cost of question papers for both the prelims and mains.

The evidence collected so far also indicate that ?some vested interests? tampered with marks in some cases to benefit less meritorious candidates.

Several documents requisitioned from the PSC office, likely to have a direct bearing on the case, are still awaited, a release from the Vigilance Commission stated.