# KPSC veterinary recruitment scandal escalates

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kpsc-veterinary-recruitment-scandal
> Updated: 2026-08-18T04:47:52.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 3.

Following the July 2026 complaints by more than 50 veterinary candidates alleging an Rs 80 lakh bribery ring in the Karnataka Public Service Commission’s recruitment of 400 veterinary officers, the scandal deepened. A fresh FIR lodged on 26 July at Vidhana Soudha Police Station charged former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar with favouritism, manipulation of OMR answer sheets and receipt of payments, citing a viral audio clip. The case was registered under cheating provisions of the Karnataka Examinations Act. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra and Minister Priyank Kharge again called for a thorough probe and reforms to restore confidence. On 28 July, students, the All Karnataka State Students Association and BJP leaders staged a dharna at Freedom Park, Bengaluru, demanding action. Two FIRs were transferred to the CID: one tied to the audio-clip demand for Rs 80 lakh, leading to the arrest of two suspected middlemen; a second, filed by aspirant Manjunath, alleged question-paper leaks and OMR-sheet tampering, naming the suspended chairman and other officials. Home Minister Kharge pledged a comprehensive CID investigation, while the BJP announced continued agitation and plans to raise the issue in the upcoming legislative session. On 18 August, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) expanded the investigation by conducting search operations at 21 locations across Karnataka and Ahmedabad under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The raids targeted the KPSC office, the residence of suspended chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, various alleged middlemen, and the offices of Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the firm responsible for digital evaluation of exam papers. The searches spanned several cities, including Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi, as well as Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Concurrently, the Karnataka High Court quashed the suspension of Sahukar, ordering his reinstatement within seven days.

## Claims

- The Bangalore Hotels Association warned that hotels would suspend business with Swiggy from August 15 if payment issues are not resolved. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- BHA gave Swiggy a 15‑day period to rectify payment, deduction and advertising‑charge issues. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Restaurants claim they receive less than 50 % of the billed order value due to deductions. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Around 20,000 of Bengaluru’s 34,000 hotels and restaurants are listed on online delivery platforms. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The disputed charges include unauthorised advertisement fees, extra service/payout charges and deductions on GST amounts. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Enforcement Directorate raids 21 locations over KPSC recruitment scam

The Enforcement Directorate is investigating a recruitment scam involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission, conducting raids at 21 locations over alleged bribery and exam manipulation.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/enforcement-directorate-raids-kpsc-offices-in-veterinary-recruitment-probe

### 2026-07-26: Karnataka FIR filed against former KPSC chairman over veterinary officer recruitment scandal

An FIR accuses former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar of corruption in a veterinary officer recruitment scam, prompting BJP calls for a probe and student protests in Karnataka.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-fir-filed-against-former-kpsc-chairman-over-veterinary-officer-recruitment-scandal

### 2026-07-23: KPSC veterinary officer recruitment under probe over alleged Rs 80 lakh scam

Over 50 candidates and veterinary doctors allege that KPSC’s recruitment of 400 veterinary officers involved Rs 70‑80 lakh bribes, prompting police complaints, protests and calls to cancel the results.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/karnataka-public-service-commission-veterinary-officer-recruitment-under-investigation-for-rs-80-lak

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Cite as: KPSC veterinary recruitment scandal escalates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kpsc-veterinary-recruitment-scandal