Sabotaging investigation: Vigilance, PSC sit pretty on sub-inspector test scam
KOLLAM: The investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau into the alleged irregularities in the selection test for sub-inspectors conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission in 2013 has reached nowhere despite a High Court directive. It is understood that the PSC chairman has now directed the vigilance wing of the PSC not to go ahead with the inquiry which the VACB had asked it to conduct. The probe was ordered after several allegations including granting of weightage marks against norms and admission of over-aged candidates for test came up. It was also alleged that those who failed to clear the physical tests were also included in the final list of selected candidates.
“I first filed a detailed complaint before the VACB director pointing out various malpractices, rampant nepotism and favouritism in the selection procedure,” said K.K. Shiju, an assistant agriculture officer, and an applicant told DC. “Based on the petition, the home department directed the state police chief to conduct an investigation into the matter. However, there was no progress and the issue was kept in cold storage.” He said he later moved the High Court which ordered the government to conduct a vigilance inquiry into the case. “This was also given scant regard by the Vigilance,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Thiruvananthapuram unit of the VACB which acted on another petition had found irregularities in the preliminary investigation. The vigilance director then ordered the PSC vigilance to conduct further investigation but the PDSC chairman has now vetoes it. In November 2013, then DGP had given letter to the home secretary recommending both vigilance inquiry and Crime Branch inquiry but no action has been taken. The High Court had 2016 ordered the Vigilance director to take action on the petition after the petitioner filed a contempt of court petition against the Vigilance Department. However, the department managed to sabotage the investigation and did nothing, with the result that no agency—neither the VACB nor the vigilance wing of the PSC—pursuing the case.
