Crime Branch seeks PSC records in Planning Board recruitment case; Rank holder Arun J Prathap to be questioned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Crime Branch has issued a notice to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), seeking all original records related to the examination and recruitment for the post of Chief Industry and Infrastructure Officer in the State Planning Board. The agency has also decided to question Arun J. Prathap, who secured the first rank and was appointed to the post. The investigators have sought answer sheets, evaluation records, details of the interview panel and marks awarded, the rank list, and appointment records. These documents were earlier examined by the Crime Branch at the PSC headquarters.

According to the investigation, there were irregularities in the evaluation process. The Crime Branch found that four questions left unanswered and six answered incorrectly by the first-rank holder were also not evaluated in the answer sheets of other candidates. PSC officials told investigators that the 200-mark descriptive examination paper was divided into four sections for evaluation. They claimed that one section containing general knowledge questions was not sent for evaluation due to a software error.

However, the Crime Branch noted that despite identifying the error, the PSC neither cancelled the rank list nor withheld the appointment. It also did not exercise its power to cancel the appointment before the candidate completed one year in service. Investigators further believe that the PSC's alleged attempt to deny candidates copies of their answer sheets points to possible wrongdoing. Although the PSC maintained that all answer sheets, including that of the first-rank holder, were evaluated using false numbers to conceal the candidates' identities, the Crime Branch is not convinced by the explanation.

Retired officials to be questioned

1. The Deputy Secretary and Joint Secretary, who are suspected to have been involved in the alleged irregularities, have already retired. They will also be questioned soon. The investigation has found that the error occurred in the PSC's on-screen marking section.
2. The PSC Chairman and two Commission members conducted the interview. They will be issued notices for questioning after the required documents are received.

'Let the investigation continue,' says Arun J. Prathap

Responding to the controversy, Arun J. Prathap said he wrote the examination and attended the interview like any other candidate.

"I did not receive any special privilege. I came to know about these developments through the media. Since the matter is under Crime Branch investigation, I do not want to comment further. Let the investigation continue," he said.