Investigators questioned Baiju again on Thursday after confronting him with documents concerning examination evaluation, interview marks and administrative decisions. The Crime Branch is assessing whether the discrepancies resulted from technical failures or deliberate manipulation involving senior commission officials.
The questioning followed Wednesday’s six-hour examination of Baiju at the Crime Branch headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Investigators are comparing his explanations with statements obtained from commission members and officials, some of whom have reportedly disputed his account of how crucial recruitment decisions were taken.
The SIT has not publicly confirmed any decision to arrest the chairman. Investigators are expected to examine further documentary evidence and question additional commission members before determining whether criminal proceedings against him are warranted.
A central issue concerns the failure to evaluate certain questions in the recruitment examination for a senior Kerala State Planning Board position. Investigators identified 10 questions carrying 58 marks that were left unevaluated, potentially affecting the final ranking of candidates.
The Crime Branch is examining whether the omission was accidental or designed to benefit a particular candidate. Investigators have also scrutinised the awarding of interview marks and the handling of complaints about discrepancies in the selection process.
During questioning, Baiju reportedly attributed some irregularities to technical problems. Investigators challenged that explanation by examining why corrective measures were not initiated after the discrepancies became known and whether officials responsible for evaluation had acted independently.
The chairman’s explanations are being assessed against administrative records and statements concerning the authority exercised by individual commission members. Investigators are particularly interested in determining whether decisions presented as collective actions were actually taken by a smaller group.
The inquiry has already resulted in the arrest of former PSC deputy secretary P. Satheesh, who was detained from his residence in Kozhikode on Wednesday. Satheesh had responsibility for examination-related activities connected with the disputed Planning Board recruitment.
He was subsequently produced before a court in Thiruvananthapuram and remanded to judicial custody. Investigators intend to seek his custody for further questioning and examination of records connected with the recruitment process.
Another accused official, Additional Secretary R. Hari, has been suspended from service. Investigators are attempting to locate him as part of their examination of responsibilities within the commission’s evaluation wing.
The Crime Branch team, headed by Inspector General Ajeetha Begum, has prepared an extensive questionnaire covering examination procedures, evaluation decisions, interview assessments and administrative oversight.
Investigators are also examining whether complaints about irregularities were adequately addressed and whether delays in providing examination records under the Right to Information Act affected scrutiny of disputed selections.
PSC Secretary Saju George has been summoned for questioning on Saturday. Twelve commission members are also expected to receive notices requiring their appearance from Monday as investigators seek to establish individual responsibility for decisions under examination.
Statements already recorded from commission members have prompted further scrutiny of the chairman’s role. However, the allegations remain under investigation, and responsibility for any criminal wrongdoing has not been established through judicial proceedings.
The investigation has expanded beyond the Planning Board recruitment to several other examinations. Separate cases concern alleged irregularities in selections for Fisheries Extension Officer, Village Oil Inspector and Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector positions.
(The article ‘PSC probe closes in on Chairman’ appeared first on Free Press Journal.)
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