Kochi, October 24 — 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 for a senior post in the State Planning Board, asking how an investigation could proceed without questioning the key person involved in the selection process.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

The court also observed that if the PSC and the government were 'bhai bhai' (like brothers), people would have reasons to suspect the process. The observations came while the court was hearing the PSC's plea to quash the Crime Branch investigation into the alleged irregularities, and the case was posted to October 27 for further consideration.

Source: BizzBuzz (IANS)

The government told the court the investigation was continuing but said the PSC was not cooperating with the probe. The PSC has argued that the alleged irregularities were the result of a clerical error, that there was no deliberate attempt to manipulate the selection process, and that the probe was not authorised under the applicable rules. The government countered that no such rules prevented the investigation. All allegations in the case remain allegations at this stage.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

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 came under scrutiny after a candidate found that several questions in the answer scripts had not been evaluated. The Crime Branch has alleged that 10 questions carrying a total of 58 marks were left unevaluated.

Source: BizzBuzz (IANS)

According to the reports, the original rank list placed Arun J. Prathap first, and he joined the Planning Board, while Shyam Krishnan, who was third, challenged the evaluation process. Following revaluation and interviews, Krishnan moved to the first position and Prathap slipped to fifth, the reports said.

Source: BizzBuzz (IANS)