Who controlled Kerala PSC? SIT uncovers secret 'Command Centre'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has identified an external 'command centre' that allegedly directed senior officials of the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) to manipulate examination evaluations, interviews and other procedures to secure appointments for favoured candidates.

The command centre is reportedly operated by leaders of a powerful political party. Information and instructions were allegedly relayed through two officials who have been arrested. Three politically affiliated members of the Commission were also part of this alleged caucus. The SIT is preparing to take retired Deputy Secretary P. Satheesh and Additional Secretary R. Hari, who are currently in judicial custody, into custody for questioning to unravel the network.

The command centre would provide a list of candidates who were to be appointed. Commission members and officials would then jointly plan and execute the irregularities. This was reportedly how the network operated.

The Crime Branch had stated in the FIR registered over the Fisheries Extension Officer recruitment scam that officials sympathetic to the CPI(M), along with the PSC chairman and Commission members, were involved in the irregularities. The SIT identified the 'command centre' during its follow-up investigation into the case. Further information reportedly emerged during the two-day questioning of PSC Secretary Saju George. He is understood to have handed over complete details of alleged irregularities carried out by the chairman, certain Commission members and officials, without involving the secretary.

Examinations Controller Bini K. Abraham will be questioned tomorrow. Notices have been issued to 12 Commission members, directing them to appear for questioning from Wednesday. The chairman will be questioned again after this process.

Sakeer not an accused in the case: SIT

The SIT has clarified that former PSC chairman M.K. Sakeer has not been named as an accused in the Khadi Board examination irregularities case. In the FIR registered over the appointment of a PSC employee's wife to the post of Village Oil Inspector despite her lack of the required qualifications, only PSC officials have been named as accused. The SIT also clarified that no notice has been issued to Zakir to appear for questioning. IG Ajeetha Begum, who is in Delhi, will review the progress of the investigations into the cases after returning.