Recruitment Exam Scam Exposed in Karnataka; Allegations of Paper Leak at KPSC

Some candidates appearing for the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Veterinary Officer recruitment exam were provided with the answers to the questions a day before the test. It is alleged that bribes amounting to lakhs of rupees were collected from the candidates in exchange for this.

A case of irregularities in a government recruitment exam has come to light in Karnataka. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that certain candidates appearing for the KPSC Veterinary Officer recruitment exam were given the answers a day prior to the test. Bribes running into lakhs of rupees were allegedly collected from the candidates in return.

According to the investigative agency, candidates were taken to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they were provided with the question paper and the correct answer options. They were instructed to memorize these answers. The exam was conducted on January 8 and 9 to fill 400 Veterinary Officer posts. The ED’s investigation has so far identified 10 successful candidates who were allegedly provided with the leaked exam material.

Deal Struck for ₹40–50 Lakhs

The investigative agency alleges that ₹40 to ₹50 lakh was collected from each candidate for this entire arrangement. This amount was extorted under the pretext of ensuring success in the exam and securing their recruitment. The ED also revealed that six candidates were given a specially prepared answer key shortly before the exam; bribes ranging from ₹20 to ₹40 lakh were allegedly collected from them for this.

Allegations Against KPSC Controller of Examinations

The ED’s investigation has implicated the then KPSC Controller of Examinations and IAS officer, Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar. The agency alleges that he possessed confidential exam-related material and facilitated the leak of the question paper through his associate, Basavaraj Kannale. According to the investigative agency, Kannale was involved in contacting the candidates and collecting the money from them. It is alleged that he collected between ₹40 lakh and ₹50 lakh from each candidate in exchange for ensuring their selection in the examination. The ED has arrested Gangwar and Kannale in connection with this case. Gangwar was arrested on September 18, while Kannale was taken into custody a day earlier.

Former KPSC Chairman and Member Also Arrested

In this case, the ED has also arrested the suspended KPSC Chairman, Shivashankarappa Sahukar, and Commission member B.V. Geetha. The investigative agency has alleged that Geetha obtained the leaked answer key from Gangwar and accepted ₹20 lakh as an advance out of a ₹40 lakh bribe from a candidate. Meanwhile, Sahukar is accused of accepting an advance of ₹10 lakh out of a ₹20 lakh bribe from a candidate. The ED conducted searches at the premises of the former chairman and the member on October 6, following which both were arrested.

Promissory Notes Found with Successful Candidate

During its investigation, the ED recovered blank signed cheques and blank signed promissory notes worth ₹80 lakh from a successful candidate. According to the agency, these documents are crucial to the investigation regarding the alleged bribery transaction. The investigative agency stated that the probe is being conducted based on an FIR registered by the police concerning the recruitment of veterinary officers in Karnataka.