Bengaluru IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, whose whereabouts had come under scrutiny following Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches in connection with the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary officer recruitment scam, appeared before the criminal investigation department (CID) on Friday for questioning.
He had stated that his father had suffered a heart attack and required medical treatment. The controversy also triggered a political confrontation in Karnataka. Union minister for heavy industries and steel HD Kumaraswamy questioned Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the government’s handling of the issue and sought clarification about the officer’s whereabouts.
Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, had reportedly sought 15 days’ leave from the government, citing his father’s health condition.
Kharge had earlier maintained that Gangwar had formally applied for leave citing his father’s health and that there was no reason for the government to reject the explanation without further grounds.
Investigators are expected to question Gangwar about the conduct of the examination, handling of official records, administrative decisions and other aspects of the recruitment process. His statement could help investigators establish the sequence of events and determine whether any officials or intermediaries were involved in the alleged irregularities.
