ED Files Charge Sheet in Karnataka PSC Recruitment Scam Involving Former Chairman and IAS Officer
The Enforcement Directorate has filed an extensive charge sheet in the Karnataka PSC recruitment scam, implicating key figures in the case.
Bengaluru, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted an 8,400-page charge sheet to a special court in Bengaluru regarding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam. This document names four individuals, including former KPSC Chairman Shivshankarappa Sahuakar and jailed IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, as key suspects in the case.
The charge sheet follows an investigation into alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment process, particularly concerning bribery linked to candidate selection. According to court documents, the ED has recorded statements from over 50 witnesses, including candidates, their parents, and others connected to the alleged misconduct.
Evidence presented in the charge sheet includes CCTV footage and confessions from candidates, which the agency believes will substantiate the charges against the accused. The ED has focused on gathering documentary evidence related to financial transactions allegedly tied to the bribery.
Filing this charge sheet marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation, where the ED has laid out substantial evidence against the accused before the special court. The case revolves around accusations of corruption and manipulation in the KPSC recruitment process, which came under scrutiny following claims of widespread malpractice.
The KPSC scam is centered on the January 2026 examination for 400 veterinary officer positions, where allegations of corruption, question paper leaks, and tampering with OMR answer sheets surfaced. Confidential exam papers and answer keys, reportedly leaked by senior officials and middlemen, played a crucial role in the scandal. Selected candidates were allegedly taken to private resorts or gated communities the day before the exam to memorize answers.
Candidates were reportedly charged between ₹20 lakh to ₹80 lakh, totaling up to ₹1 crore, for guaranteed selection through manipulated merit lists and leaked answers. The former KPSC chairman faced intense questioning from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the ED. Gangwar, a 2016 batch IAS officer and former Controller of Examinations at KPSC, has been arrested, with the state government approving prosecution against him.
Other accused include former KPSC member and lawyer B.V. Geeta, recently granted bail by a special court, and Basavaraj Kannale, along with alleged intermediaries who collected cash, signed blank checks, and promissory notes from candidates.
In light of the ongoing investigation, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has ordered strict security measures and anti-malpractice protocols for the KPSC examination scheduled for November 15.
