Bengaluru: The investigation into alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission’s (KPSC) Veterinary Officer recruitment has intensified, with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detaining IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who had served as the commission’s Examination Controller.
The CID’s Special Investigation Team is probing allegations of question paper leakage, manipulation of OMR sheets and irregularities in the recruitment process.
OMR sheet manipulation under CID scanner
Gyanendra Kumar was questioned by CID officials for several hours on August 28 and was subsequently taken into custody, sources said. Investigators are reportedly examining evidence linked to alleged manipulation of marks in OMR sheets.
The probe is also looking into allegations that candidates were allegedly given training at certain hotels and resorts in connection with the recruitment examination.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier searched Gyanendra Kumar’s residence as part of its investigation into the financial aspects of the alleged recruitment scam. While the ED is examining the money trail, the CID is focusing on the examination process and the alleged involvement of officials.
The CID has also gathered details of four recruitment examinations conducted over the past three years. Investigators are examining whether similar irregularities occurred in recruitment examinations conducted by the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, and Industries and Commerce Department.
Suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar has also been questioned by the CID in connection with the case.
Gyanendra Kumar is currently serving as Director of MSME in the Karnataka Industries and Commerce Department.