Enforcement Directorate raids 21 locations over KPSC recruitment scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). The agency conducted searches at 21 locations across Karnataka and Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The investigation follows multiple FIRs alleging that middlemen demanded bribes between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh per candidate to ensure selection. Allegations include paper leaks, tampering with OMR answer sheets, and favoritism toward relatives of KPSC officials. Premises searched include the KPSC office, the residence of former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, the home of KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, and the offices of Edutest Solutions Pvt Ltd, the firm responsible for digital evaluation of exam papers.

In a related legal development, the Karnataka High Court quashed the suspension order of Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, directing authorities to reinstate him within seven days, though he is barred from deciding on matters involving his daughters' appointments. The ED's search operations at Sahukar's Bengaluru residence reportedly lasted over 26 hours.