SIT prepares questionnaire for PSC Chairman; Dr MR Baiju asked to appear at Crime Branch headquarters today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has prepared a questionnaire for Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Dr M.R. Baiju and is awaiting his response. The move comes ahead of a possible decision to name him as an accused in the Planning Board recruitment fraud case. He has been served a notice directing him to appear at the Crime Branch headquarters at 2 pm today. There are indications that two officials currently in judicial custody have given statements against the chairman. According to SIT sources, he has been summoned to clarify details of the matters disclosed by these officials.

As of last night, the chairman had not informed the SIT that he would not appear. However, the team is also anticipating the possibility that he may stay away, citing the pending final verdict of the High Court on a petition seeking to quash the investigation against the PSC. If officials entrusted with responsibilities ignore notices issued by an investigating agency and fail to cooperate with the investigation, the court can issue summons against them and initiate another case.

After receiving the chairman's response, the SIT may seek fresh custody of the officials currently in judicial custody and question them again, if necessary. The chairman may also be questioned alongside them if required. IG Ajitha Begum issued the notice, pointing out that the chairman's presence was essential for the investigation. It was served in advance to prevent him from evading questioning by citing official commitments. The SIT indicated that a decision on further action, including naming him as an accused, would be taken soon, as the PSC chairman bears full responsibility for the conduct of the Planning Board examination and the recruitment process.

According to statements given by PSC members, it was the chairman who decided who would set the question papers and who would evaluate them. Some members have also stated that the chairman had intervened unilaterally in the process. Further action will be taken only after these aspects are clarified.

IG to review investigation

The progress of the investigations into four cases involving irregularities in the PSC will be reviewed at a meeting led by IG Ajitha Begum today. The case concerning irregularities in the recruitment of Fisheries Extension Officers is being investigated by the Kochi SP. The Crime Branch is moving to expedite the investigation in all four cases. Its position is that there is no need to delay the investigation until the High Court delivers its final verdict on the petition pending before it.