Kerala PSC recruitment scam: Absconding Additional Secretary R Hari arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Crime Branch has arrested R. Hari, Additional Secretary in the Kerala Public Service Commission's (PSC) Examination Wing, who had been absconding in connection with alleged irregularities in the Planning Board Chief recruitment examination. He was arrested from Ernakulam on Friday.

Hari, who had earlier been suspended from service, will be brought to Thiruvananthapuram and produced before a court. Former Deputy Secretary P. Satheesh, another accused in the case, is currently in judicial custody. The Crime Branch has named both officials as accused in the case.

Meanwhile, the investigation is widening to include the PSC's senior officials. Following the questioning of Chairman M.R. Baiju, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) will question Secretary Saju George on Saturday. The decision follows information obtained during the questioning of the chairman. Examination Controller Bini K. Abraham has also been directed to appear before the SIT on Monday.

The investigation centres on the alleged exclusion of 10 questions carrying a total of 58 marks from the evaluation process in the examination conducted for the post of Planning Board Chief. The Crime Branch is investigating whether the questions were deliberately left unevaluated to manipulate the selection process.