Keralam PSC exam fraud: Crime Branch indicts chairperson, members on charges of corruption, political favouritism

Subscribed with another email? Logout and Login with that one. Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription Updated - October 31, 2026 12:45 pm IST - Thiruvananthapuram The Crime Branch has also accused the KPSC chairperson and members of undermining public confidence in the commission (file) | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch probing the suspected fraud in recruitment tests conducted by the Kerala State Public Service Commission (KPSC) for State government employment has registered an FIR against the independent constitutional body’s chairperson M.R. Baiju and fellow members. It indicts the chairperson and other members for criminal breach of trust and wrongful employment of their constitutionally sanctioned authority to tilt the playing field in favour of candidates owing allegiance to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] by tweaking the rank list for the post of Fisheries Extension Officer under the Keralam Fisheries Department. The Crime Branch has booked the accused on charges of criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code and misuse of official authority to grant undue favours under Sections 7 and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Crime Branch has accused the chairperson and members of stacking the deck in favour of Left-leaning candidates from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), thereby depriving other qualified job aspirants of their constitutional right to equal opportunity in government employment under Article 16(1). The Crime Branch has also accused the KPSC chairperson and members of undermining public confidence in the commission, created to ensure an independent, fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process for public employment, insulated from political influence and favouritism. In October, the then Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar , wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, recommending the removal of Mr Baiju and other PSC members from office, citing disturbing irregularities and match-fixing in the conduct of public employment examinations.