PSC recruitment scam: Chairman, members named as accused; Additional Secretary Hari arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Crime Branch has named Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman M.R. Baiju, commission members and officials as accused in cases related to examination and recruitment irregularities. The action was taken in a case registered over irregularities in the recruitment of Fisheries Extension Officers. With this development, the chairman, some commission members and more officials are likely to face arrest. Kerala Kaumudi had reported on Thursday that they would be named as accused in the case.

Meanwhile, the Crime Branch arrested PSC Additional Secretary R. Hari from Ernakulam in connection with examination and recruitment irregularities in the selection process for the State Planning Board. The arrest came after retired Deputy Secretary P Satheesh was remanded in the case. Hari, who had been hiding at a yoga centre in Coimbatore for three days, was arrested after he reached a relative's house in Ernakulam. He was in charge of evaluating the answer scripts for the Planning Board examination.

Hari was also in line to become the next PSC Secretary. He was brought to Thiruvananthapuram late on Friday night and will be produced before a court on Saturday.

For the first time, the CPM's name has also figured in the FIR. It alleges that candidates from Fisheries University, who were close to the PSC chairman, commission members and officials with CPM links, were given undeservedly high ranks. This deprived eligible candidates of appointment opportunities and helped the accused gain unlawful benefits, the FIR states. The FIR also alleges that the accused misused their official positions to secure appointments for ineligible candidates, damaging the credibility of the commission.

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Sasikumar, a native of Nemom. Another case was registered over the appointment of an ineligible candidate, who is the wife of a PSC employee, to the post of Village Oil Inspector. The case was based on a complaint filed by Sunith, a native of Nedumangad.

PSC Secretary Saju George will be questioned on Saturday, while Examination Controller Bini K. Abraham will be questioned on Monday. Notices have also been issued to 12 commission members, asking them to appear for questioning from Monday. More officers have been included in the investigation team. The team now includes Ernakulam SP Shahul Hameed, SP V.G. Ravindranath and Deputy SP V.T. Rashid.

Charges carry life imprisonment

1. IPC Section 409: The main charge is criminal breach of trust by public servants, along with financial irregularities. The offence carries a punishment of life imprisonment or imprisonment of up to 10 years, along with a fine. The accused can be arrested without a warrant and are not entitled to station bail. The case will be tried by a First Class Judicial Magistrate Court.
2. Prevention of Corruption Act: Sections 7(c) and 13(1)(a) have also been invoked. These provisions deal with corruption and bribery by public servants, as well as financial misconduct through abuse of official position. The offences carry imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and a fine.