Kerala PSC candidates' data leak: crime branch questions employees
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Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police Crime Branch has intensified its investigation against Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) officials over ‘Madhyayam’ acquiring an official confidential document of the KPSC in connection with the hacking of login details of about 65 lakh candidates from the KPSC server and putting it up for sale on the dark web. The Crime Branch questioned about 20 people, including the public relations officer, and started collecting their phone details through the cyber cell.
Earlier, an attempt was made under the leadership of KPSC Chairman Dr MR Baiju to portray the news of ‘Madhyayam’ that the information like the username and password of PSC candidates was on the dark web as fake news. In order to maintain the credibility of the commission among the public and the candidates, KPSC branded ‘Madhyayam’ as fake before the public through an official statement.
The KPSC's arguments were shattered when 'Madhyayam' published the agenda note of the commission that met under its chairman on May 27 to discuss the leak. It was only after the Crime Branch initiated an investigation on the chairman's instructions and the KPSC secretary’s complaint registered a case of cheating.
No one has been named so far as an accused in the case at present. Those who shared the Madhyayam news on social media and unofficial WhatsApp groups of KPSC employees have been questioned. The employees who prepared the social media texts and officers, including women from various sections, have been summoned to the Crime Branch office and are being questioned at the KPSC headquarters. The statement of 'Madhyayam' correspondent Aniru Ashokan, who provided the news, was recorded on Saturday under the leadership of Crime Branch DySP G Binu.
The reporter was asked to reveal the source of the news, but he was not ready to provide the information. He was ordered to produce the mobile phone before the Crime Branch Central Unit within 48 hours. The Crime Branch also issued a notice to the Chief Editor of 'Madhyayam', asking him to reveal the source of the news.