Notices will be served to PSC members by crime branch
Introductory Memo: The Crime Branch Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by IG Ajithabeegam, is preparing to issue notices to four Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) members for questioning over alleged irregularities in the State Planning Board Chief rank list. The controversy emerged after it was found that 10 questions carrying 58 marks had not been evaluated, resulting in a revised rank list in which K. Shyam Krishnan moved to first rank and Arun J. Prathap, who initially topped the list published on May 31, 2025, dropped to fifth place. The PSC attributed the omission to an official error, while the re-evaluation has intensified allegations of malpractice in the examination and interview process. The revised list could also affect Prathap’s appointment, and the PSC is expected to inform the state government about the changes. The High Court has stated that PSC members cannot claim constitutional protection to avoid cooperating with an investigation into alleged irregularities. Meanwhile, candidates have demanded a thorough probe into similar allegations involving other recruitment examinations and appointments, including KAS and posts in various departments, and have called for the suspension of disputed rank lists until investigations are completed.
Analytical view/ Analysis: The complaint raised against the appointment of Chief’s of Divisions in Planning board the highest paid job in government became true. A left union leader was appointed to the post and selected as number one flouting the merit became evident.
The Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch will issue notices to question four PSC members in connection with the irregularities in the chief rank list of the State Planning Board. The Special Investigation Team probing the scam has already questioned four top officials of the PSC. A special investigation team headed by IG Ajitha beegam questioned four people at the level of deputy secretary. The SIT has also sought information from officials on complaints regarding other examination malpractices. Meanwhile, it has become clear that there was malpractice as alleged by the candidates in the Planning Board Chief Examination. The complaint was filed by K. Shyam Krishnan got the first rank. Left leader Arun J Pratap, who was earlier given the first rank, has been pushed to the fifth position. Following the controversy, the PSC re-evaluated and adjusted the rank list of the chief of the industrial infrastructure department of the Planning Board with a salary of more than one and a half lakh.
Arun J Prathap was the first rank holder in the rank list published on May 31, 2025. Arun J Prathap was given the first rank without evaluating 10 questions for 58 marks. Third ranker Shyam Krishnan and fifth ranker VS Jayalal applied for a copy of the answer sheet, but the paper was not provided as it was an official secret. The exam paper was issued a year later after a request was made through the Information Commission. They again approached the administrative tribunal and the high court after they found that 10 questions for 58 marks were not evaluated. The PSC explained that it was a clinical error on the part of the officials to not evaluate the 10 questions. The students raised slogans against the government and the police. After the state government appointed a special investigation team, a special revision camp was conducted and the rank list was rearranged and published. The allegation has been proved to be true.
Left leader Arun J Pratap, who has been working for a year-and-a-half, is likely to lose his job. The PSC will inform the state government about the update of the rank list and ask for its dissolution. Shyam Krishnan, who had scored 39 marks in the previous exam, scored 59 marks in the re-evaluation. He scored 50. It is indicated that the person who was appointed earlier will go to court. He is now arguing that although there was an irregularity, he is not responsible. At the same time, there are allegations that even the interviewers, including the PSC chairman, were fixed at the behest of the political leadership. When asked to appear for questioning in this regard, the PSC took the stand that there is constitutional protection as members of the PSC and there is no need to appear for questioning. He approached the High Court on the issue. The High Court made it clear that there can be no constitutional protection for non-cooperation when allegations have been raised about the functioning of the PSC and an investigation is underway. The High Court asked the state government why it was not taking strong action if the PSC members were not cooperating with the investigation.
The re-evaluation has revealed that cheating and match-fixing took place in the examination and interview. At the same time, the PSC is trying to escape by making the mistake corrected through re-evaluation. At the same time, the Karnataka PSC chairman, secretary and top officials have been arrested for committing irregularities like in Kerala and appointing relatives including the daughter. There is no constitutional protection. The candidates are of the opinion that the credibility of the PSC can be restored only if such strong action is taken in the irregularities in Kerala. Apart from the appointment of the Planning Board, there have been allegations of irregularities in many posts including KAS, Assistant Information Officer in PRD, Research Assistant in Fisheries, etc. There has been a demand to freeze the rank list in all appointments where allegations have been raised and conduct an investigation. In this situation, the Crime Branch is preparing to issue a notice to the PSC members again.
Reference
- The Hindu https://share.google/ilUr5KmeFXT2GTA8G
- The Hindu https://share.google/IvC0XUl0B8GqyRs0q
- Live Law https://share.google/HWBjExlbuZNlgqEYg
- https://share.google/JN6zp0tliJP4MbS2A
- The Hindu https://share.google/PVRRbQ3eGAPRYUTnE
- https://share.google/6TNcEnSaYTNoR338n
- The New Indian Express https://share.google/JzFTNe6Lk8brCb8Pb
News at a Glance: A left leader selected to the post of the Head of Planning division was found flouting merit and avoiding 10 questions avoiding without valuation. The top PSC officials, members and Chairman involved in the interview are involved in the conspiracy.
Academic Insight: All the appointments done at the time of LDF may be reinvestigated. Allegations are leveled against KAS, Asst Information officers and Fisheries officers and so son.
Social Media Pulse: Trending and viral
On Our Reading List: Mathrubhumi, Manorama, Indian express, Times of India, Deshabhimani, Janambhumi
- Article by: G K Suresh Babu