The Crime Branch's Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination scam arrested Additional Secretary R. Hari from a relative's house in Kochi on Friday night, 30 October, after he had been absconding since his suspension earlier this week. Hari, who headed the PSC's examination wing, was named an accused in the case before being suspended on Monday. His arrest marks the second significant custodial development in an investigation that has raised serious questions about the integrity of Kerala's premier constitutional recruitment body.

Background: How the Scam Came to Light

The case centres on alleged irregularities in the examination conducted for the post of Chief, Industry and Infrastructure Division, in the Kerala State Planning Board. The malpractice reportedly came to light after a candidate obtained a copy of his evaluated answer script under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, following a prolonged legal battle. That disclosure triggered a formal probe and has since brought renewed scrutiny on the PSC's internal examination and evaluation mechanisms.

First Arrest and Pension Freeze

The SIT had earlier arrested P. Satheesh, the PSC's former Deputy Secretary, who was in charge of the on-screen marking system used to evaluate answer scripts for the Planning Board recruitment examination. Satheesh retired approximately 18 months ago and was subsequently named as an accused. The state government has also frozen his pension benefits following his arraignment — an unusual administrative step that underlines the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.

Hari's Role and His Links to PSC Leadership

Hari continued in active service until his suspension on Monday. He is described in official circles as a trusted aide of PSC Chairman Dr M.R. Baiju, who was himself grilled by the SIT earlier in the investigation. That connection has drawn attention to how far up the chain of command the probe may reach. The SIT has so far named both Hari and Satheesh as accused, and investigators are reportedly examining whether the alleged manipulation extended beyond the two officials.

Wider Implications for PSC Transparency

The alleged examination malpractice has triggered broader concerns over the transparency and integrity of recruitment examinations conducted by the PSC — a body constitutionally mandated to ensure fair public-sector hiring in Kerala. Critics argue that the RTI-driven exposure of the irregularities points to systemic gaps in oversight, and opposition parties are expected to press for a deeper audit of recent PSC examinations. The case is being closely watched by job aspirants across the state, for whom PSC examinations represent a primary pathway into government employment.

What Comes Next

With Hari now in custody, the SIT is expected to interrogate him on the specific mechanisms of the alleged score manipulation and any chain of instruction that may implicate senior officials. Further arrests cannot be ruled out, according to reports. The PSC Chairman's questioning earlier in the week suggests investigators are casting a wide net, and the coming days could bring additional disclosures about the extent of the alleged scam.