The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Saturday, 1 April, questioned the TSPSC Secretary Anita Ramachandran and member Linga Reddy in the question paper leak case.
While the alleged kingpin Praveen Kumar was the personal assistant (PA) of Ramachandran, who is the department assistant secretary at TSPSC, another accused Ramesh was Reddy’s PA.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in the matter.
SIT questions TSPSC secretary
The TSPSC secretary’s statement was recorded by the SIT chief and Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes and SIT) AR Srinivas and other officers.
Sources told South First that Ramachandran was questioned regarding accused Praveen and also about the administration of the commission, preparation of the question paper, and maintenance of the confidential section.
The SIT also quizzed the two about Praveen’s professional behaviour, extent of the roles and responsibilities, access to systems, and confidential sections.
“The questioning is a long process in which we are investigating all the possible angles. In the coming days, more TSPSC employees can be questioned if the investigation demands so,” DCP Srinivas told South First on Saturday.
Heavy police force was deployed near the SIT office during the two-hour questioning.
As many as 15 accused, including four TSPSC employees, a school teacher and a cop have been arrested so far by the Hyderabad City Police’s SIT probing the case.
Related: New dates for the AE exam, SIT questions three more accused
100 students quizzed so far
As per DCP Srinivas, so far 100 students of the 121 students who scored over 100 marks in the exam have been questioned.
“We are investigating whether any of them leaked the question paper or tried to use it for their own benefit. We will question all 121 candidates,” DCP Srinivas had earlier told South First.
Earlier, one of the candidates who was questioned by the SIT told reporters that they were asked to fill out a form with details — date of birth, occupation, TSPSC one-time registration number, and academic credentials.
The candidate added that the officials also asked them if they had appeared for any other TSPSC exams in the past.
“They are checking our background and bank transactions,” the candidate claimed.
Related: Congress seeks ED probe into role of KTR in TSPSC paper leak
ED steps in TSPSC paper leak
The registering of ECIR assumes significance amidst the Opposition parties in the state alleging the involvement of influential persons and politicians from the ruling BRS.
This comes after the the Telangana Pradesh Congress (TPCC) president A Revanth Reddy on urged the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the TSPSC question paper leak case.
The ED will probe money-laundering charges in the case following allegations that those who leaked the question paper received money through hawala channels.
It would write a letter to the state government requesting to share the FIR and other details of the investigation conducted so far for a detailed probe.
If the case details were not shared, then the ED might approach the Telangana High Court seeking a direction to the state government to share details.
