SIT records statements of TSPSC Secretary, member in paper leak case

HYDERABAD: The special investigation team (SIT) questioned TS Public Service Commission (TSPSC) secretary Anita Ramachandran and commission member Bandi Linga Reddy in connection with the Group-I question paper leak incident.

The SIT, which has questioned more than 100 persons in connection with the case, had served notices to the officials under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code, asking them to appear before the agency on Saturday.

Following the notices, Anita Ramachandran appeared before the SIT where officials questioned her for two hours. It was reported that officials recorded the statement of the IAS officer because one of the accused, Pulidindi Praveen Kumar, was working as her personnel assistant in TSPSC.

It was stated that SIT officials inquired about Praveen as well as the tasks assigned to him during the Group I written exam. Officials also allegedly questioned Anita Ramachandran about the confidential section where the computer systems with the question papers were placed.

After two hours of questioning, Anita Ramachandran left the SIT office at around 12.30 pm. After lunch, the TSPSC member Linga Reddy appeared before the SIT.

Officials recorded Linga Reddy's statement about the monitoring of the Group I written exam, the conduct of the exam and co-ordinators especially the strong room and its security.

The SIT has arrested more than 13 persons including women candidates who appeared for the Group I exams. Officials also served notices to NRIs who took the Group I exams to appear for questioning.