Kerala's Crime Branch SIT will investigate the PSC's proposed appointment of SFI leader K J Jithin as DySP. The probe will examine alleged rule violations and whether the selection was expedited to favour him.Image used for representational purposes onlyThiruvananthapuram,Nov 3, 2026 18:46 ISTKerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday directed a Crime Branch Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission's move to appoint an SFI leader as a deputy superintendent of police through special recruitment, Press Trust of India reported.The direction was issued to SIT chief Ajitha Begum after Save University Forum chairman R S Sasikumar filed a complaint alleging that the commission had violated recruitment norms and procedures.According to an official release cited by PTI, the complaint alleged that the PSC attempted to appoint Ernakulam-based SFI leader K J Jithin under the leadership of commission chairman M R Baiju.The complaint claimed that Jithin had passed his B Com course only with grace marks and had failed to secure a place in the main rank list for the police constable recruitment examination.
It further alleged that the PSC hurriedly completed the recruitment process towards the end of the previous government's tenure to ensure Jithin's appointment before the LDF government left office.A total of 17,392 candidates applied for the post. The deadline for applications was September 10, 2025.
The written examination was held on December 31, 2025, followed by the physical efficiency test on March 16, 2026. Interviews were conducted on April 22, and the final rank list was published on May 6.
The complaint alleged that the process was completed within a short period to facilitate Jithin's appointment before the government's term ended.It also alleged that directly appointing a person facing several criminal cases as a deputy superintendent of police amounted to a serious violation of rules and dereliction of duty. The SIT has been asked to examine these allegations.The SIT led by Begum is investigating several complaints of alleged irregularities and examination fraud in recruitments and appointments handled by the Kerala PSC.
It has questioned PSC chairman M R Baiju and several commission members and made multiple arrests.The Kerala PSC has challenged the investigation and the sanction granted to prosecute its members before the Kerala High Court. The court has reserved its judgment on the plea.The latest direction requires the Crime Branch SIT to investigate whether recruitment rules were violated in the proposed appointment and whether the selection process was expedited to benefit Jithin.- Ends