Bengaluru, Sep 3 (IANS) The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday issued a notice to suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa, directing him to appear for questioning in connection with the alleged KPSC recruitment scam. Reacting to the developments, Karnataka Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy questioned the BJP over Shivashankarappa’s appointment as KPSC Chairman.
This is the second time Shivashankarappa has been summoned by the investigating agency. He had earlier appeared before the CID and was questioned for nearly six to eight hours. The CID has now asked him to appear before the investigating officer on Thursday or Friday.
The latest notice assumes significance following the arrest of two key accused in the case — IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar and alleged middleman and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale. The CID has reportedly been investigating the case for around eight days, with the arrests adding momentum to the probe.
Shivashankarappa was among the first people to be questioned after the case came under investigation. The CID is expected to question him again based on the statements he gave during the earlier round of interrogation and seek further clarification on various aspects of the alleged irregularities.
Meanwhile, more than 10 candidates have reportedly come forward before the investigating agency, admitting to their alleged involvement in the irregularities and expressing their willingness to become approvers in the case. Their statements are expected to provide further leads to the investigation.
Shivashankarappa has also approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection from arrest. The High Court is yet to pronounce its decision on his petition, with the verdict expected soon. Against this backdrop, his fresh summons by the CID has assumed greater importance.
Reacting to the developments, Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Thursday questioned the BJP over Shivashankarappa’s appointment as KPSC Chairman.
“Shivashankarappa was appointed by the BJP. The BJP should answer now,” Cheluvarayaswamy said in Bengaluru. He added that if the government and institutions were expected to deliver good results, suitable and credible persons should be appointed to key positions.
Cheluvarayaswamy also said BJP and JD(S) leaders should take responsibility for the alleged actions of Shivashankarappa and questioned why Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had not spoken about the issue as yet.
“Who appointed Shivashankarappa? Why is H.D. Kumaraswamy not talking about this?” he asked.
The Minister said the investigation should be allowed to proceed without interference and that the government would cooperate with investigations into cases involving KPSC and NEET. He stressed that no individual should be subjected to injustice and said the background and credentials of persons appointed as KPSC members and chairman should be carefully scrutinised.
The CID investigation is now expected to focus on the alleged nexus between officials, intermediaries and candidates, while investigators are also examining the role of other persons who may have been involved in the recruitment irregularities.
–IANS
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