Kerala HC questions PSC probe into Planning Board recruitment irregularities
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Saturday questioned the progress of the Crime Branch investigation into alleged irregularities in a Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination held for a senior post in the State Planning Board.
The court asked how the probe could move forward without questioning the key person associated with the selection process. It also observed that if the PSC and the government functioned in close alignment, it could create suspicion about the fairness of the process.
The observations were made while the court considered a plea by the PSC seeking to quash the Crime Branch investigation into the recruitment.
The government told the court that the investigation was ongoing but alleged that the PSC was not extending cooperation to the probe. The Commission, however, maintained that the irregularities arose from a clerical error and denied any deliberate manipulation of the selection process.
The PSC argued that the investigation was not authorised under the applicable rules and sought its termination. The government rejected the contention, saying no such restriction existed.
The case relates to the recruitment of a Chief for the Industry and Infrastructure Division of the State Planning Board. The PSC conducted the examination in July 2023, and the selection process came under scrutiny after a candidate found that several questions in the answer scripts had not been evaluated.
According to the Crime Branch, 10 questions carrying a total of 58 marks were left unevaluated, affecting the answer scripts of candidates who appeared for the examination.
Arun J. Prathap, who was placed first in the original list, had joined the Planning Board. Shyam Krishnan, ranked third, challenged the evaluation process. After revaluation and interviews, Krishnan moved to the first position, while Prathap slipped to fifth.
The PSC has maintained that the lapse was technical and unintentional. The Crime Branch is examining whether it was merely an error or involved deliberate wrongdoing.
The court posted the case for further consideration on October 27.
(Inputs from IANS)