The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating suspected irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission's recruitment process for veterinary officers. The probe centres on allegations of leaked examination answers, illegal payments and attempts to influence candidate selection.

According to the agency, 10 candidates were allegedly taken to a private resort or rented villa near Bengaluru shortly before the examination, conducted on January 8 and 9 to fill 400 veterinary officer vacancies. Investigators allege that the candidates received material containing answers to 80 questions and were instructed to memorise them before sitting the test.

The ED suspects that Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who was serving as the KPSC Controller of Examinations, was involved in leaking the material. His associate, Basavaraj Kannale, allegedly acted as an intermediary and collected between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 50 lakh from individual candidates in return for promises of selection.

Investigation Identifies Alleged Beneficiaries

The agency has identified 10 candidates who allegedly received the leaked examination material and later cleared the recruitment test. Investigators have also uncovered allegations that six aspirants received customised answer keys shortly before the examination after paying between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 40 lakh.

In an earlier search, investigators reportedly recovered signed cheques with a combined value of Rs 80 lakh, along with signed promissory notes, from a candidate who had succeeded in the examination. The documents are being examined as part of the suspected financial arrangements surrounding the recruitment process.

Senior Commission Officials Face Allegations

The investigation has expanded to include senior officials associated with the commission. The ED arrested Gangwar on September 18 and Kannale on September 17 in connection with the suspected examination fraud.

The agency has also arrested suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and commission member BV Geetha. Investigators allege that Geetha obtained leaked answer keys from Gangwar and accepted Rs 20 lakh as an advance towards a purported Rs 40 lakh arrangement with a candidate.

Sahukar is alleged to have received an initial payment of Rs 10 lakh against a proposed total bribe of Rs 20 lakh. These claims form part of the ongoing investigation into suspected corruption in the recruitment process.

Confidential Merit List Allegedly Misused

Investigators are also examining the alleged misuse of KPSC's confidential 1:3 merit list, which identifies candidates shortlisted for subsequent recruitment stages. The ED suspects that some officials accessed confidential ranking information to identify aspirants with a strong likelihood of selection.

According to the agency, candidates were allegedly approached and asked to pay between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50 lakh in exchange for assurances that they would obtain appointments.

The allegations have raised questions about the security of examination materials, the handling of confidential recruitment records and the integrity of public-sector hiring. The matter remains subject to investigation and legal proceedings.