IAS officer Ghyanendra Kumar Gangwar who was serving as the examination controller of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) allegedly played a central role in manipulating the veterinary officer recruitment process, with investigators now examining evidence that he helped candidates who paid money secure higher marks and appointments, said officials in the know on Thursday.
Kannale is accused of collecting money from candidates seeking veterinary officer posts. “Document verification has been conducted at some branches of Bhalki’s Om Lakshmi Sauharda Sahakari Sangha and a nationalised bank in Bengaluru. “Information has been received about the connection of BJP leaders in the KPSC irregularities. He added, “There should also be an investigation into who was in contact with the BJP leaders. All irregularities will come out of the investigation. The report from the Governor and the issues related to the investigation have been discussed and approved in the cabinet. Further action will be taken based on the investigation.”
The alleged role of Gangwar is being examined against a wider investigation into the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. Investigators said the amounts allegedly demanded from candidates varied from ₹ 40 lakh to ₹ 80 lakh, with some making advance payments and others paying after the recruitment process.
Gangwar had written the finalised questions for model papers prepared before the veterinary officer examination and allegedly passed them to Kannale two days before the test, said an officer familiar with the investigation, according to the investigation. Investigators said he subsequently called some candidates to his Rajajinagar office and took them to Tumakuru to write the examination. The alleged manipulation did not end with the examination, according to the CID. “Candidates who had paid advance amounts were allegedly given an advantage at both stages, with Ghyanendra changing their OMR responses and later ensuring they received higher marks in the interviews and were selected,” said an official in the know. We have collected details of transactions in the bank accounts of Kannale and Gangwar,” a CID official said. Chief minister DK Shivakumar has alleged that BJP and NDA leaders were connected to the KPSC irregularities and said information gathered by the Home Department would soon be disclosed. The information with the Home Minister against NDA leaders will be disclosed soon,” Shivakumar said.
Seven more candidates questioned by the CID on Tuesday reportedly admitted to paying money to obtain appointments.
