Thiruvananthapuram, 30 Oct (H.S.):

The Crime Branch has alleged deliberate manipulation in the Kerala Public Service Commission’s Planning Board recruitment examination, claiming that questions were excluded during evaluation to favour selected candidates.

The allegation figures in the remand report of arrested former deputy secretary P. Satheesh. Investigators said questions were deliberately omitted before the answer scripts were sent for evaluation. The excluded questions were subsequently retained when the online evaluation camp was closed, the report stated.

According to the Crime Branch, Satheesh and PSC additional secretary R. Hari, who is absconding after being named an accused, knew about the irregularities. Both officials were responsible for the online evaluation camp.

Investigators have also received testimony describing Hari as a close associate of PSC chairman Dr M.R. Baiju.

Meanwhile, the special investigation team plans to question the remaining PSC members. Notices directing 10 members to appear for questioning will be issued on Friday. The PSC secretary is scheduled to be questioned on Saturday and the examination controller on Monday.

Investigators are seeking clarity on contradictions between statements given by the chairman and commission members. Baiju could be summoned again.

In his statement, Baiju reportedly maintained that the commission had committed no wrongdoing in the Planning Board examination and attributed the irregularities to technical errors by officials.

He also stated that selecting question-paper setters, recommending interview panel members and reducing interview marks from 40 to 25 fell within his authority.

Separately, officials responsible for conducting the Khadi Board Village Oil Inspector, Fisheries Extension Officer and Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector examinations will be named as accused in cases concerning alleged irregularities.

The investigation team has been expanded with two superintendents of police and a deputy superintendent of police. The three newly registered cases have been assigned to officers as part of efforts to intensify the investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman