Crime Branch registers three more cases in Kerala PSC exam fraud
Ongoing investigation reportedly finds malpractice in three other examinations conducted between 2019 and 2023; alleged irregularities relate to examinations conducted for the posts of Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector, Fisheries Officer and Inspector in the Khadi Board
The Crime Branch Special Investigation Team (SIT) has registered three more cases in connection with alleged irregularities in Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations.
The SIT also moved to make two PSC officials accused in alleged irregularities involving the posts of the Kerala State Planning Board. The officials have been identified as Additional Secretary Hari and Deputy Secretary Satheesh. The investigation team has reportedly sought government permission to prosecute them and recommended departmental action.
The ongoing investigation also reportedly found malpractice in three other examinations conducted between 2019 and 2023. The alleged irregularities relate to examinations conducted for the posts of Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector (AMVI), Fisheries Officer and Inspector in the Khadi Board.
The investigators suspect that candidates were given unfair advantages by allegedly deliberately leaking examination-related information and the purported collusion between officials and candidates.
In the AMVI examination, the SIT found that 47 of the 100 questions were directly taken from a particular guide. According to the preliminary findings, information about the guide book was allegedly provided in advance to certain candidates, allegedly helping them prepare for the examination and secure appointments.
Irregularities have also been suspected in the Khadi Board Inspector examination, in which only one candidate secured an appointment through the examination. It was found the candidate is purportedly a close relative of a senior PSC official, sources said.
In the examination to the post of Fisheries Officer, 38 of the 42 candidates appointed were reportedly from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). Faculty members of the university had reportedly prepared the question paper for the examination. The Crime Branch’s vigilance wing suspects a nexus between PSC officials and university faculty members to manipulate the recruitment process.
- crime
- branch
- kerala
- psc
- exam
- fraud
- examination
- inspector
