Crime Branch alleges ‘deliberate manipulation’ in Kerala PSC examination

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The headquarters of Kerala Public Service Commission in Thiruvananthapuram.

A remand report filed by the Crime Branch has alleged deliberate manipulation in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination conducted for the State Planning Board. 

Such allegations have been detailed in the remand report of P. Satheesh, a former deputy secretary of the PSC, who was arrested in connection with the case.

According to the report, the irregularities were purportedly carried out with the knowledge of officials, including Mr. Satheesh and another officer, R. Hari, an additional secretary, who is presently absconding.

The police allege that 10 questions were intentionally excluded from the evaluation and that the online evaluation camp was closed without restoring those questions. The investigators suspect that the questions were deliberately withheld because their evaluation could have changed the ranking of candidates and prevented certain favoured persons from securing appointments.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has issued notice to PSC secretary Saju George to appear for questioning in connection with the case on Saturday. The Controller of Examinations will also be summoned to seek clarification on the alleged involvement of PSC chairperson M.R. Baiju and the accused officials in the case. 

The SIT has also decided to question the remaining PSC members. Notices will be issued to 10 PSC members directing them to appear for questioning.

The investigation team has sought to clarify alleged inconsistencies in the statements given by Mr. Baiju during questioning a few days ago. He reportedly maintained that the commission had not committed any errors in the Planning Board examination and that the irregularities resulted from technical errors committed by officials.

The SIT has also been expanded to speed up the investigation. Two Superintendents of Police and one Deputy Superintendent of Police have been added to the team. The three newly registered cases have been assigned to the investigating officers as part of the expanded probe.

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