Scandal rocks PSC: Chairman grilled for hours in escalating appointment scam; retired deputy nabbed, official fleeing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Crime Branch questioned Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Dr M.R. Baiju for nearly six hours in connection with examination and appointment irregularities at the Planning Board before releasing him. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) said he would be questioned again, and a fresh notice would be issued after fixing the time.

P. Satheesh, a retired deputy secretary who was in charge of evaluating the examination papers, was arrested today from his residence in Balussery, Kozhikode. Deputy Secretary R. Hari, another accused in the case, is absconding. Satheesh's arrest was recorded after a team of the SIT from Thiruvananthapuram questioned him at the Crime Branch headquarters. He had retired recently. The case alleges that he acted illegally by leaving questions carrying 54 marks unevaluated to ensure appointments for favoured persons. The government had decided to withhold his retirement benefits.

The PSC chairman arrived at the Crime Branch headquarters around 2 pm today and was released at 8.05 pm. This was the first time a PSC chairman had been summoned for questioning. The questioning was conducted by a team led by Inspector General Ajeetha Begum, with evidence presented to the chairman. A questionnaire containing more than 100 questions had also been prepared. The questions covered the alleged manipulation of the examination by pressuring officials, the failure to take action despite irregularities being pointed out, the improper awarding of marks in interviews, and the failure to evaluate all questions. The chairman's statement was video-recorded.

The SIT will scrutinise the statements given by the chairman before summoning him again. He will also be called for questioning in the three newly registered cases. PSC members had told the SIT that they had no involvement in the appointment irregularities and had acted on the chairman's instructions. Some members also stated that the chairman may have known the marks awarded in the Planning Board written examination in advance.

PSC chairman, members to be named as accused

The Crime Branch will name the PSC chairman and the commission members who were part of the interview panel as accused in the case. The investigation has found that the chairman was directly involved in the alleged fraud. The SIT is reportedly understood to have sought the government's permission to name the chairman and others as accused and arrest them. The Governor is the authority who must grant sanction for prosecution. If they are named as accused or arrested, the Governor can suspend them.