Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 26 — Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Dr M.R. Baiju has been served a Crime Branch notice directing him to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning in the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of a senior official to the State Planning Board.
This is the second time the PSC leadership has faced a move to question it in the case.
An earlier attempt to question the commission’s chairman and members ran into resistance, with the PSC approaching the Kerala High Court to challenge the investigation.
The latest notice comes days after the High Court sharply criticised the progress of the probe and questioned why the main person facing allegations had not been questioned, and crucial documents had not been seized.
Warning against any “bhai-bhai” relationship between the government and the PSC, the court observed that people would be disgusted.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in the selection of the chief of the Planning Board’s Industry and Infrastructure Division.
After a complaint, a re-evaluation was conducted.
The candidate who had secured the appointment was pushed to fifth place, while the complainant secured the first rank.
The appointment was subsequently cancelled following judicial intervention. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan told the Assembly on Monday that 180 complaints relating to alleged PSC examination irregularities had been received so far.
Crime Branch investigations are underway into three complaints, while the commission’s internal vigilance wing is probing five others.
Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, defended the commission, saying it had completed government recruitment in a commendable manner and provided appointments to lakhs of candidates over the past decade.
He alleged that an organised attempt and conspiracy were underway to destroy the credibility of the entire institution by raising allegations against a single recruitment case.
The controversy has widened after outgoing Governor Rajendra Arlekar recommended the removal of Baiju and the dissolution of the commission, citing allegations of irregularities.
All 16 members of the present PSC were appointed during Vijayan’s tenure as Chief Minister.
The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against the commission’s leadership remain to be established.
Even more surprising has been the abject silence of the student and youth wings of the CPI(M), as they are known for their protests, if any wrongdoings surfaced in the media concerning the Congress-led UDF.