Thiruvananthapuram: Governor Rajendra Arlekar summoned Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) secretary Saju George to Lok Bhavan and sought details of the alleged irregularities in PSC recruitment examinations, signalling a possible intervention by the governor in the controversy.The Friday evening meeting reportedly took place without the knowledge of PSC chairperson. The governor sought details of the steps taken by the commission so far in connection with the alleged examination malpractice and also enquired about the progress of the investigation.The secretary is understood to have informed the governor that the PSC was extending full cooperation to the investigation into the allegations.Meanwhile, the special investigation team probing the alleged PSC recruitment irregularities is continuing to record statements and collect evidence. Investigators are awaiting the results of cyber-forensic examinations of electronic devices, including computer hard disks. The questioning of senior PSC officials is expected to begin after the forensic examination results are received.Once the evidence-gathering process is completed, the investigation team is expected to submit a report to the court, including the names of the accused.Normally, allegations relating to the conduct of PSC examinations are examined through the commission’s internal vigilance mechanism, followed by appropriate action. The governor summoning a senior PSC officer to Lok Bhavan and seeking an explanation is therefore likely to trigger a fresh political controversy.The governor has maintained that he has the authority to summon officials for explanations. The latest move comes shortly after he summoned the state police chief without the state govt’s knowledge, a move that drew public criticism from chief minister V D Satheesan. The opposition had also criticised the governor’s action.
