SIT takes over probe, Guv seeks report
NAVEENA GHANATE
Hyderabad
The Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) is facing testing time with the examination paper leak case taking a curious turn. With political parties slamming TSPSC, the chairman of the commissioner said employees had “broken trust”. While the TSPSC has transferred the case to a Special Investigation Team after a review by the state Chief Secretary, Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan directed TSPSC late in the evening to submit a report “within 48 hours” after conducting “a comprehensive investigation”. The Governor also sought to know what steps could be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Commissioner of Hyderabad Police CV Anand issued orders transferring the case to the SIT. As per the orders, the investigation will continue under Addl. CP AR Srinivas. The case has been investigated till date by the Begum Bazaar Police.
“Further investigation into the Assistant Engineer recruitment test question paper leakage case reported on 13-3-2023 vide Cr. No. 64/2023 U/Sec.409,420, 120(B) IPC, 66B, 66C, 70 of the IT Act, and Sec. 4 of the Telangana Public Examination (Prevention of Malpractices and Unfair Means) Act of 1997 registered at the Begum Bazaar Police Station in Hyderabad, is hereby transferred to SIT CCS, Hyderabad, for further investigation under the direct supervision of Addl. CP Crimes & SIT Hyderabad City,” the order said.
Following the orders, SIT Head AR Srinivas visited the Begum Bazaar PS and took details from the ACP and CI.
A case has been registered under Sections 409, 420, and 120(b) regarding the leak of the question paper of the Assistant Engineer exam.
The Nampally Court remanded nine of the accused for 14 days in the Assistant Engineer question paper leakage case. A3 Renuka was shifted to Chanchalguda Women’s Jail. The remaining eight people were taken to Chanchalguda Jail.
After receiving information that the question paper of the Assistant Engineer exam held on February 5 had been leaked, the TSPSC cancelled the written examinations for the post of TPBO, which was scheduled to be held on March 12 and the Veterinary Assistant Surgeon examination scheduled to be held on March 15 and 16.
In the AE paper leak case, system administrator Rajasekhar Reddy was dismissed by the TSPSC. Assistant Section Officer Praveen Kumar has also been suspended. Gurukula teacher Renuka, her husband Dhakya, a technical assistant in the DRDA, constable Srinivas, and four others were remanded.
Raj Bhavan has sent a letter to the TSPSC regarding the question paper leakage. The Governor’s office has also called for a detailed report on the episode within 48 hours.
Taking serious note of the alleged leakage of the question papers of TSPSC recruitment tests, the Raj Bhavan as per instructions of the Governor, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, sent a letter to the TSPSC Secretary.
In the letter, the Governor ordered a thorough enquiry and called for a detailed report on the leakage and the corrective measures proposed to be taken to avoid the recurrence of such incidents in order to protect the interests of bonafide candidates.
