In Karnataka job fraud case, probes show paper leaks may be only one part

According to ED, rough diaries recovered from a KPSC official contained notes suggesting that selections were manipulated at the shortlisting stage for eligible candidates for posts including veterinary officers, assistant engineers in various departments, and motor vehicle inspectors over the past two years.

The notes allegedly listed candidates who appeared in the initial 1:3 eligibility lists, with monetary figures recorded against some names.

“During the searches conducted at the residence of a KPSC official, certain materials were seized, and analysis of the materials shows involvement of KPSC officials in collecting illegal gratification from candidates appearing in recruitment examinations conducted by the KPSC, on the assurance of final selection,” ED told the court.

13 calls to a KPSC candidate

The investigation has also brought Hosamani under scrutiny.

CID and ED are investigating allegations that she shared 13 phone calls with a candidate, who was selected, before their interview for the recruitment of 384 gazetted probationers, or Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officers.

The recruitment has since been put on hold; more than two lakh aspirants had appeared for the preliminary examination.

Gangwar told investigators during custodial interrogations that several KPSC officials collected bribes from candidates while preparing final merit lists for recruitments, according to the agencies.

ED told the court that it is investigating the total amount allegedly involved in the KPSC “bribes-for-jobs” scandal.

In the veterinary doctors recruitment, CID and ED allege that 20 of the roughly 1,400 candidates who appeared for an exam for 400 vacancies paid more than Rs 2 crore to middleman Basavaraj Kannale to obtain the leaked questions. Kannale allegedly charged between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 40 lakh per candidate.

Investigators allege that Rs 52 lakh of the proceeds was subsequently transferred to Gangwar and used to buy expensive jewellery in Bengaluru for his girlfriend.

The Karnataka High Court on September 21 ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Police to probe the KPSC scam.

The state government has not yet constituted the SIT, as it is considering challenging the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.