SIT files final report on alleged irregularities in Group-1 answer-sheet evaluation; court examines details and adjourns hearing to September 1
AMARAVATI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating alleged irregularities in the evaluation of Group-1 examination answer sheets has completed its probe and submitted its final report to the High Court.
The report was submitted in a sealed cover as the court continued hearing appeals related to alleged irregularities in the evaluation process conducted during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government.
Forensic Audit Completed for 736 Candidates
The SIT informed the High Court that it had completed a forensic audit of answer sheets belonging to 736 candidates.
The investigation team also said it had sought a second opinion regarding the answer sheets of nine candidates. Reports for only two of those candidates have been received so far, while reports relating to the remaining seven are still awaited.
The SIT requested additional time to submit the remaining findings to the court once the reports are received.
Bench Examines SIT Report
A division bench comprising Justice D. Ramesh and Justice Alapati Giridhar examined the details submitted by the SIT and adjourned the matter until September 1.
The bench also agreed to a request from lawyers representing the candidates to allow them to examine the contents of the final report.
The court directed the Registrar (Judicial) to provide photocopies of the SIT reports to the candidates’ lawyers if they formally request them.
Government Raises Concern Over Disclosure
During the hearing, SIT head and CID Director General Ravishankar Ayyannar, along with Public Prosecutor M. Lakshminarayana, presented details before the court.
Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas, representing the state government, argued that candidates were entitled to obtain the SIT report based on Supreme Court judgments. However, he maintained that they should not be permitted to access documents attached to the report.
The government argued that disclosure of such underlying documents could potentially affect the ongoing criminal investigation.
Selected Candidates Oppose Keeping Report Confidential
Senior advocate C.V. Mohan Reddy, representing candidates who were selected for government jobs, argued that there was no need to keep the report submitted to the court confidential.
Lawyers Jampani Sridevi and Sheikh Shanawaz, representing candidates who participated in the examination, said another bench of the same High Court had already completed around 90% of the hearing in the appeals.
They requested that the appeals be transferred to that bench and said they had filed an interlocutory petition seeking such a direction.
The division bench said it would take an appropriate decision on the request.
Hearing Adjourned to September 1
With the SIT’s investigation substantially completed but some second-opinion reports still pending, the High Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 1, 2026.
The court’s further proceedings are expected to focus on the SIT findings and the allegations surrounding the evaluation of the Group-1 answer sheets.
