Kerala govt orders probe into SFI leader's DySP selection; minister receives Mundathikode tragedy report

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday ordered a Crime Branch enquiry into the Public Service Commission's (PSC) alleged attempt to appoint an SFI leader as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) through special recruitment. The investigation was initiated following a formal complaint lodged by Save University Forum Chairman R.S. Sasikumar. Crime Branch Special Investigation Team chief Ajitha Begum has been instructed to head the enquiry. According to the complaint, the selection move was actively led by PSC Chairman M.R. Baiju.

The controversy centres on K.J. Jithin, an SFI leader from Ernakulam chosen for direct appointment to the DySP post. It is alleged that Jithin cleared his B.Com degree solely with grace marks and previously failed to secure a spot even on the main list of the police constable examination. Despite this record, the PSC allegedly rushed through the recruitment procedures to complete his appointment before the previous Left government's tenure ended. Out of 17,392 applicants who applied before the deadline on September 10, 2025, the selection progressed at unusual speed. The written exam took place on December 31, 2025, followed by the physical efficiency test on March 16, 2026, the interview on April 22, and the publication of the final rank list on May 06. The complainant stressed that Jithin is named in several criminal cases, making his direct appointment as DySP a severe violation of service rules and a grave breach of duty.

Commission submits findings on Mundathikode fireworks tragedy

In a separate development on Tuesday, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala received the official enquiry report on the Mundathikode fireworks tragedy from Retired Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair at his chamber. The disaster occurred on April 21, 2026 at a gunpowder shed manufacturing pyrotechnics for the Thiruvambady section ahead of the Thrissur Pooram festival. The massive explosion claimed 16 lives and left 40 people injured, prompting the state government to set up the judicial commission.

The enquiry commission uncovered critical safety violations at the site. Contractors held permission to store only 15 kilograms of explosive materials, but they had illegally accumulated 7,000 kilograms. Additionally, the commission confirmed that potassium chlorate, a banned substance, was extensively used in making the fireworks and caused the explosion. High temperatures caused friction between these chemical substances, triggering the fire and blast.