Kerala HC allows probe into PSC exam irregularities to continue
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has allowed the investigation into alleged irregularities in the Planning Board recruitment examination to continue, even as it considers the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) plea to quash the FIR registered in the case.
Justice Badharudeen clarified on Tuesday that the filing of the petition did not warrant a halt to the investigation, noting that the court had not issued any stay. The PSC sought additional time to respond to a Crime Branch report, and the matter will be taken up again after two days.
The investigation has raised concerns over the evaluation process after the Crime Branch informed the court that 10 questions carrying a total of 58 marks had allegedly been deliberately left unevaluated. A subsequent revaluation altered the rankings, with complainant Shyam Krishnan securing the top position in the revised rank list. The PSC later issued an advice memo based on the updated list.
More than 150 complaints have reportedly been submitted to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to examine the controversy. Investigators are also looking into the possible involvement of additional PSC employees.
The allegations have placed the state recruitment body under scrutiny, as candidates depend on its examinations for fair access to government jobs. The controversy has also taken on a political dimension, with all 16 members of the current commission having been appointed by the previous government led by Pinarayi Vijayan.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged lapses and determine responsibility for any wrongdoing.
With IANS inputs