Crime Branch files charge sheet in Kerala University assistant recruitment case

Representational image. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Crime Branch on Friday (October 30, 2026) submitted its charge sheet against seven former Kerala University officials, including a former Vice-Chancellor, in connection with the alleged corruption in the appointment to the posts of University Assistants Grade-II in 2005.

The charge sheet submitted before the Special Vigilance Court here names the accused persons, including former Vice-Chancellor M.K. Ramachandran Nair, former Pro Vice-Chancellor V. Jayaprakash, former Registrar K.A. Hashim and former Syndicate members A.A. Rasheed, N.V. Russell and K.A. Andrews. Another accused, former Syndicate member B.S. Rajeev, has since died.

Manipulated process

The case relates to alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment examination conducted by Kerala University in 2005. According to the Crime Branch investigation, the selection process was manipulated to facilitate the appointment of relatives and associates of Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders, political figures and senior university officials.

The investigation found that a selection board was not constituted before the written examination in 2005. Instead, the board was formed only in 2008 after the written examination results had been published in order to conduct the interviews.

The Crime Branch alleged that candidates who secured high marks in the written examination were deliberately awarded low marks in the interview, pushing them down the rank list. Conversely, candidates who scored poorly in the written examination were given higher interview marks, thereby helping them secure higher ranks and appointments.

Beneficiaries identified

The investigation identified 38 people, including those currently working in senior posts such as Assistant Registrar, who allegedly benefited from these irregularities. The Crime Branch has decided to formally charge them too in a supplementary charge sheet that will be submitted later. The investigation team will seek legal advice on the specific charges to be invoked against them.

The case had earlier been recommended for closure by the Crime Branch in 2020, during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s tenure. However, a fresh investigation was ordered in 2022 based on a complaint filed before the court.

Published - October 30, 2026 07:47 pm IST