Crime Branch nabs PSC additional secretary R. Hari in examination irregularities case

The Crime Branch of Kerala has apprehended R. Hari, an additional secretary at the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC), in connection with irregularities found in an examination for the State Planning Board. The arrest took place from a relative's residence in Ernakulam. Hari, who was previously on the run following the arrest of P. Satheesh, a former deputy secretary of the PSC, was allegedly involved in the evaluation process of the controversial examination. Both individuals were in charge of the evaluation process.

The government had suspended Hari pending inquiry, and retirement benefits of the other accused have been withheld. The arrest report has revealed that the irregularities were allegedly deliberate and carried out with the knowledge and involvement of officials, including Hari and Satheesh. Ten questions were allegedly excluded from the evaluation, and the online evaluation camp was closed without restoring those questions.

The investigators suspect that the withheld questions were intentionally left out to prevent certain favoured candidates from securing appointments.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has summoned the PSC secretary and the Controller of Examinations to provide clarification on the alleged involvement of PSC chairperson M.R. Baiju and the accused officials in the case. Notices will be issued to 10 PSC members to appear for questioning. The SIT has decided to question the remaining PSC members as part of their investigation.

The team has been expanded with the addition of two Superintendents of Police and one Deputy Superintendent of Police to expedite the investigation.