Bengaluru, August 31: IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, who was sent to one day of judicial custody in connection with the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSc) recruitment scandal, will be presented in a Bengaluru court on Monday. The CID may seek a 14-day custody for further questioning.
In the meantime, the CID conducted a raid at the residence of BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale in Donagapura village, Bhalki taluk, as part of the KPSc recruitment investigation.
Gyanendra Kumar, who previously served as the examination controller for KPSc, was arrested after two days of questioning regarding alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers. Following his arrest, he was presented in the First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court in Bengaluru, where he was remanded to one day of judicial custody, with instructions to present him in an open court on August 31.
The CID is investigating allegations of manipulation of OMR answer sheets, irregularities in the evaluation process, and the alleged involvement of officials and intermediaries in the recruitment of candidates. Investigators questioned Gyanendra Kumar in detail on August 28 and 29, reportedly extending late into the night. They are examining discrepancies in his statements and evidence pointing to his role in the manipulation of OMR sheets.
The agency is also looking into claims that candidates selected under the alleged recruitment process received training in hotels and resorts. The scope of the investigation may extend to former KPSc Chairman Shivshankarappa Sahukar, officials, and others associated with the commission.
Reports indicate that investigators have gathered information on four recruitment exams held over the past three years, including those for the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Industries and Commerce Department, and the Veterinary Officer recruitment exam.
Additionally, the CID has raided the home of BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale in Donagapura village, Bhalki taluk, in connection with the KPSc recruitment scandal. Kannale was arrested by the CID in Delhi on Sunday. Investigators are probing his alleged role as an intermediary in the recruitment process and his questionable involvement in securing government jobs for candidates. Kannale is considered close to former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan and is reportedly seeking a BJP ticket to contest from the Bhalki assembly seat. The raid at his home is part of the agency’s efforts to gather further evidence regarding the alleged recruitment network and the role of intermediaries.
A hearing regarding Kumar’s custody is scheduled for Monday, and an alleged intermediary has also been arrested. It is expected that investigators will accelerate their inquiry into the potential involvement of officials, candidates, and others in the alleged irregularities of the KPSc recruitment process.
Leave a Comment