BENGALURU, September 20: A fresh investigation into alleged irregularities at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has detailed claims that candidates’ marks were withheld, top scorers were allegedly approached for bribes, interview panels were manipulated and question papers were leaked in government recruitment examinations. The allegations are now part of ongoing CID investigations and court proceedings, and no final judicial finding has been made on many of the claims.
Marks Allegedly Withheld to Target Candidates for Bribes
According to an investigation by The Indian Express, former KPSC officials alleged that marks of high-scoring candidates were sometimes not immediately disclosed.
The alleged purpose was to identify candidates who were already likely to qualify on merit and then approach them individually with demands for money in exchange for an assured selection.
Former KPSC secretary Latha Kumari had also raised concerns about this practice in an internal communication in January 2024, the report said.
Interview Panels Allegedly Manipulated
The investigation also described alleged irregularities in interview scoring.
According to internal notes cited in the report, in some recruitment exercises outside experts gave certain candidates high scores while some KPSC members gave those same candidates unusually low marks — and vice versa. Former officials described the pattern as difficult to explain through normal variation alone.
KPSC interview marks had earlier been reduced significantly as a proportion of the total score, but officials alleged that manipulation subsequently shifted to other stages of the recruitment process.
OMR Sheets and Tabulation Records Under Scrutiny
Former KPSC officials also alleged that marks may have been altered during the tabulation stage after examinations.
Complaints were separately raised over alleged tampering of OMR answer sheets, including in recruitment for Assistant Executive Engineer posts.
These allegations are part of the broader scrutiny of KPSC procedures, and several related matters have reached the Karnataka High Court.
Veterinary Recruitment Probe Focuses on Question Paper Leak
One of the most serious ongoing cases involves recruitment for 400 veterinary officer posts.
CID investigators allege that selected candidates were taken to hotels or resorts before the examination, their mobile phones were switched off and they were given question papers and answer keys in advance.
Investigators have alleged that some candidates were asked to pay between ₹35 lakh and ₹80 lakh for assistance in securing the posts. These figures are allegations contained in the investigation and have not yet been established through a final court verdict.
ED Arrests IAS Officer and Alleged Middleman
In a fresh development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has placed suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and alleged middleman Basavaraj Kannale under arrest in connection with the money-laundering aspect of the veterinary recruitment case.
Gangwar served as KPSC’s Controller of Examinations from 2024 to 2026.
The ED action follows an earlier CID investigation into the alleged exam-paper leak and financial transactions connected to the recruitment process.
CID Traces Alleged Money Trail
The CID has told a Bengaluru court that 11 candidates allegedly transferred around ₹70 lakh to Kannale.
Investigators further alleged that part of the money was used to purchase around ₹52 lakh worth of gold and diamond jewellery for a woman known to Gangwar. The prosecution has cited bank records, CCTV footage and call data as part of its evidence.
A separate CID submission alleged that Kannale spent around ₹11 lakh on 23 air tickets and other expenses for Gangwar and a woman associated with him.
Suspended KPSC Chairman Also Under Investigation
Former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar was suspended on August 25 after allegations involving the recruitment of his daughter and the veterinary examination case.
One case concerns allegations that his daughter, Suma Sahukar, secured an Industrial Extension Officer post under an OBC quota using an inaccurate income certificate. Sahukar has also been investigated over alleged links to the veterinary recruitment irregularities.
Sahukar has not been convicted in these matters, and the cases remain under investigation or judicial consideration.
Fresh Probe Also Examines KAS Recruitment
The scrutiny has expanded beyond veterinary recruitment.
A KPSC member, Dr Shanta Hosamani, is under CID investigation after investigators found she had 13 phone conversations with a KAS candidate before an interview in which she was reportedly part of the panel.
The final selection list connected to that recruitment has been stayed while the investigation continues.
KPSC Says Reforms Are Being Planned
KPSC interim chairman Dr B. Prabhudev has said the commission is working on reforms aimed at improving transparency.
He told The Indian Express that KPSC plans to adopt procedures closer to the UPSC model and introduce safeguards intended to prevent unfair treatment of meritorious candidates.
The allegations have intensified demands from job aspirants for stronger oversight of Karnataka’s recruitment system as CID, ED and court proceedings continue.
source – The Indian Express / The New Indian Express / CID Proceedings
Supreme News Network
