ED Conducts Extensive Searches in Karnataka Recruitment Scandal

Ongoing Investigations into KPSC Recruitment Irregularities

Bengaluru, Aug 19: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been actively conducting search operations at the home of former Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman, Sahukar Shivashankarappa, located in Dollar’s Colony, Bengaluru.

The search efforts have extended for approximately 26 hours, commencing on Tuesday and continuing into the night, with reports indicating that two ED officials remained at the residence overnight.

This operation is part of a broader investigation into alleged financial misconduct, with officials scrutinizing various documents and materials retrieved from the premises.

Details regarding the outcomes of these searches are still pending.

In a significant turn of events, the Karnataka High Court recently annulled the suspension of Shivashankarappa and mandated his reinstatement within a week.

On Tuesday, the ED executed search operations at 21 different locations across Karnataka and Ahmedabad, focusing on suspected irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers by the KPSC.

The searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Bengaluru Zonal Office of the ED.

Locations targeted included the KPSC office, Shivashankarappa's residence, the home of KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, and the offices of Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which handled the digital evaluation of exam papers.

According to ED officials, the 21 sites are distributed across various districts in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi, as well as Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

The searches are connected to multiple FIRs filed at the Vidhana Soudha Police Station in Bengaluru, which allege serious misconduct in the final selection process for Veterinary Officers.

The complainant in this case has claimed that certain middlemen solicited bribes ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh from candidates to secure their selection.

Additionally, the complainant reportedly provided audio evidence of these middlemen to law enforcement to support the allegations.

Further accusations include claims of question paper leaks, tampering with OMR answer sheets, and facilitating the selection of relatives of KPSC officials.

The ED's search and seizure operations are part of its investigation into the alleged financial and recruitment irregularities associated with the KPSC Veterinary Officers recruitment.

It is noteworthy that the KPSC has been embroiled in a significant cash-for-jobs scandal following the announcement of the final selection list for 400 Veterinary Officer positions on July 17.

Allegations emerged that positions were being sold for amounts ranging from Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore through intermediaries, leading to protests, criminal investigations, and the suspension of the KPSC chairman.

After an examination held on January 8 for the 400 veterinary officer roles, results were released on July 17, which sparked immediate controversy.

The KPSC subsequently suspended the list, while the Karnataka government assigned the CID to investigate, resulting in FIRs against key individuals and the arrest of several middlemen.

The Karnataka High Court is currently reviewing the situation, with some petitioners advocating for the investigation to be transferred from the CID to the CBI.