TNPSC scam: Sleuths take duo to Madurai to collect evidence

Jayakumar and Omkanthan were taken to the bypass near Melur where the van carrying answer sheets was stopped on the night of September 1, when the answer sheets were transported from Rameswaram exam centre to Chennai.

The duo enacted the sequences on Sunday on Melur bypass. The two were later taken to Rameswaram to collect further evidence.

The CB-CID has so far arrested 35 people in connection with three exam scams – 2019 group 4, 2017 group 2A and 2016 VAO examinations.

Jayakumar is believed to be the key suspect in all the three scams. The police said that he had collected a huge sum -- ranging from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh -- through his agents.

In the case of 2019 group 4 exam, the candidates who had paid in lakhs of rupees were asked to write in two centres -- Rameswaram and Keelakarai. The candidates were reportedly given pens with disappearing ink to write the exam. After the answers disappear in an hour, the answer sheets would be retrieved from the vehicle in transit to write the correct answers. They would be placed back with the help of TNPSC staff, like Omkanthan.

The police are now probing if Jayakumar had any links with senior TNPSC officials who turned a blind eye to the malpractices.