Kerala Crime Branch Indicts KPSC Chairperson and Members Over Suspected Exam Fraud

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Crime Branch has registered an First Information Report (FIR) against the Kerala State Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairperson M.R. Baiju and fellow members, alleging deliberate manipulation and political favouritism in recruitment tests. According to the reported findings, the investigation centres on suspected irregularities in examinations conducted for government employment.

Investigation and Charges

• FIR Details: Filed on October 28, the FIR lists official titles and indicts the leadership for criminal breach of trust and the alleged wrongful employment of constitutional authority.
• Specific Allegations: Investigators claim the rank list for the Fisheries Extension Officer post under the Fisheries Department was allegedly tweaked to favour candidates aligned with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
• Legal Sections: The accused have been booked under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code (criminal breach of trust) and Sections 7 and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Context and Related Arrests

The probe follows recent actions by law enforcement involving KPSC officials. Additional Secretary R. Hari and former Deputy Secretary P. Satheesh were previously linked to alleged irregularities in a State Planning Board examination. The SIT also questioned Mr. Baiju extensively as part of the broader inquiry into suspected public examination fraud.

Verification and Next Steps

Observers can verify official developments through public statements issued by the Kerala Police Crime Branch or official court filings. The ongoing probe continues to examine separate tests, including those for the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector post, amid broader political discussions regarding the constitutional status of the commission's appointments.