Thiruvananthapuram, 27 Oct (H.S.): The Crime Branch has registered two more cases over alleged irregularities in Kerala Public Service Commission recruitment, widening an investigation covering examinations, interviews and answer-script evaluation. PSC Chairman Dr M.R. Baiju has been summoned to appear before investigators on Wednesday.

The fresh cases concern recruitment to the posts of Village Oil Inspector and Fisheries Extension Officer. Investigators have also identified suspected irregularities in appointments involving the Khadi Board Inspector and Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector posts, besides the appointment under scrutiny in the State Planning Board.

Around 190 complaints are currently before the investigation team, including more than 180 received by the Director General of Police. The Special Investigation Team has decided to intensify its probe following sharp criticism from the Kerala High Court over the pace of the investigation.

Two PSC members are scheduled to be questioned on Tuesday as investigators examine the recruitment process and the roles of those involved in conducting examinations and interviews.

On Monday, the SIT, headed by Inspector General S. Ajeetha Begum, questioned PSC members S. Sreekumar, S.A. Saif and Stany Thomas. Statements reportedly recorded during their questioning have brought further attention to the chairman’s access to candidates’ written examination marks.

According to information emerging from the questioning, investigators were told that the chairman might have known the written examination scores for the State Planning Board chief’s post in advance. The statements reportedly suggested that he routinely sought marks from officials in connection with various examinations.

These claims remain part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established as findings of wrongdoing.

Two commission members, meanwhile, reportedly told the Crime Branch that their involvement was confined to serving on interview panels. Investigators are examining these explanations alongside complaints concerning different stages of the selection process.

The probe will also cover a complaint concerning alleged irregularities in a sub-inspector recruitment examination conducted 16 years ago. A resident of Mundakkal in Kollam submitted that complaint to the Home Minister.

The High Court is scheduled to hear the petition relating to the alleged PSC irregularities again on Tuesday. During the previous hearing, the court sharply criticised both the government and the commission over the slow progress of the investigation.

The fresh cases and questioning come as the SIT examines complaints spanning multiple recruitment exercises and different stages of candidate assessment.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman