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KPSC recruitment scam investigation

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-31 07:07 UTC → 2026-09-03 12:54 UTC · added removed

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process. The probe focuses on the recruitment of veterinary officers, where candidates reportedly paid bribes between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh to secure positions. In late August 2026, the ED conducted searches at the Bengaluru and Bareilly residences of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a former KPSC Controller of Examinations. Following these searches, Gangwar was reported missing, leading Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi to accuse the Karnataka state government of being a “partner” in the fraud. Joshi cited the difficulty in locating Gangwar as evidence of systemic involvement. Meanwhile, political pressure has mounted, with Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy calling for the resignation of Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge. By August 31, 2026, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Gangwar in connection with the scam. He Gangwar. The CID is expected to be produced in a Bengaluru court, with investigators seeking 14 days of custody. The CID investigation has expanded custody to include investigate the manipulation of OMR answer sheets, sheets and irregularities in the evaluation process, and allegations that selected candidates received training at hotels and resorts. Additionally, process. On September 2, 2026, the CID conducted revealed a search at “three-stage fraud network” involving the residence leaking of BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale examination questions, the manipulation of OMR sheets to inflate scores, and the influencing of final interviews. Investigators found that candidates allegedly paid for model questions and were housed in Bidar district. resorts across Bengaluru, Tumakuru, and Andhra Pradesh to prepare answers before being transported to exam centers. The probe continues CID also seized hall tickets linked to follow previous searches of former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar’s premises. the 2025 B Group recruitment examination, suggesting the racket may involve additional recruitment cycles. Regarding Gangwar, investigators reported he allegedly received real-time updates from influential individuals to evade the ED probe, traveling through Delhi, Noida, and Sri Lanka before returning to a resort near Kempegowda International Airport to face questioning.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-03 12:54 UTC KPSC recruitment scam investigation
  2. 2026-08-31 07:07 UTC KPSC recruitment scam investigation
  3. 2026-08-28 12:52 UTC KPSC recruitment scam investigation

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