Kerala Home Minister orders SIT probe into alleged fast-tracked DSP recruitment for SFI leader
Synopsis
Kerala's Home Minister has ordered a Crime Branch SIT investigation into allegations that the state's Public Service Commission fast-tracked the DSP appointment of an SFI leader — bypassing over 17,000 other applicants and allegedly completing the entire process in unusual haste before the previous LDF government's term ended. The probe adds to a growing list of PSC controversies already under SIT scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed the Crime Branch SIT to probe alleged irregularities in the DSP recruitment of SFI leader K.J.
Jithin on 3 November .
The complaint was filed by Save University Forum chairman R.S.
Sasikumar , alleging the process was fast-tracked under PSC chairman M.R.
A total of 17,392 candidates had applied for the post; the entire recruitment cycle — from exam to rank list — was allegedly completed in unusual haste .
The complainant alleged Jithin passed his B.Com only with grace marks and failed to feature in the main list of the Police Constable exam .
Jithin is also allegedly facing several criminal cases , which the complaint says makes his direct appointment as DSP a violation of norms.
The PSC chairman and three members had previously been questioned by the SIT in a separate recruitment controversy.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday, 3 November directed the Crime Branch Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations that the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) attempted to fast-track the appointment of an SFI leader as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) through a special recruitment route, allegedly in violation of prescribed rules. The directive follows a formal complaint by Save University Forum chairman R.S. Sasikumar.
The Complaint and Key Allegations
Chennithala instructed Ajitha Begum, head of the Crime Branch SIT, to investigate the complaint, which alleges that the recruitment push was driven under the leadership of PSC chairman M.R. Baiju. The complainant alleged that the process was designed to secure the appointment of K.J. Jithin, an SFI leader from Ernakulam, before the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's term ended.
As many as 17,392 candidates had applied for the post, with the application deadline set at 10 September 2025. The written examination was held on 31 December, followed by a physical efficiency test on 16 March 2026. Interviews were conducted on 22 April and the final rank list was published on 6 May. The complainant alleged the entire process was completed in unusual haste.
Questions About the Candidate's Eligibility
The complaint further alleged that Jithin had passed his B.Com examination only with grace marks and failed to appear even in the main list of candidates in the Police Constable recruitment examination. The complainant questioned how such a candidate could be considered for direct appointment as a DSP. Additionally, Jithin is alleged to be facing several criminal cases, making his direct appointment a potential violation of recruitment norms, according to the complaint.
Jithin's Response
Jithin has denied any irregularity in the selection process, maintaining that the complaint is aimed at blocking his appointment. He has not commented publicly on the specific eligibility claims raised in the complaint.
Pattern of PSC Scrutiny
This is not the first time the Kerala PSC has come under the SIT's lens. The PSC chairman and three members had earlier been questioned by the Crime Branch SIT in connection with a separate recruitment-related controversy. The latest directive adds a fresh dimension to the mounting scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the commission's functioning. The issue had surfaced publicly on Monday, drawing immediate political attention in Thiruvananthapuram.
What Happens Next
The SIT's investigation is now expected to examine the special recruitment proposal in detail, including the timeline, eligibility criteria applied, and the role of PSC leadership in expediting the process. The outcome of the probe could have significant implications for the broader question of political influence over public recruitment in Kerala.
Point of View
But for what it signals: a new government using the machinery of the state to scrutinise the hiring practices of its predecessor. The speed of the alleged recruitment — written exam, physical test, interview, and rank list all within months — does invite legitimate questions about process integrity. But the larger issue is structural: if the PSC chairman and members have already been questioned in a prior SIT case, the commission's credibility as an independent body is under serious strain. Kerala's public recruitment ecosystem, long seen as a battleground for student-political influence, is unlikely to emerge from this episode unscathed regardless of what the SIT finds.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered an SIT probe into the DSP recruitment?
Chennithala ordered the probe after a formal complaint alleged that the Kerala PSC fast-tracked the DSP appointment of SFI leader K.J. Jithin in violation of recruitment rules, allegedly to secure his appointment before the previous LDF government's term ended. The Crime Branch SIT, headed by Ajitha Begum, has been tasked with the investigation.
Who is K.J. Jithin and what are the allegations against him?
K.J. Jithin is an SFI leader from Ernakulam who was reportedly selected for direct appointment as a DSP through a special recruitment route. The complaint alleges he passed his B.Com only with grace marks, failed to appear in the main list of the Police Constable exam, and is facing several criminal cases — factors that, according to the complainant, disqualify him from direct DSP appointment.
How many candidates had applied for the DSP post?
As many as 17,392 candidates had applied for the post, with the last date for applications set at 10 September 2025. The complainant alleged that the entire selection process — written exam, physical test, interviews, and final rank list — was completed in unusual haste.
Has the Kerala PSC faced SIT scrutiny before?
Yes. The PSC chairman and three members had already been questioned by the Crime Branch SIT in connection with a separate recruitment-related controversy prior to this latest directive. The fresh probe adds to mounting scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the commission's functioning.
What has K.J. Jithin said about the allegations?
Jithin has denied any irregularity in the selection process, stating that the complaint is aimed at blocking his appointment. He has not publicly addressed the specific eligibility concerns raised in the complaint.
