Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, former Controller of Examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), facilitated the leakage of the Veterinary Officers’ recruitment examination paper to alleged middleman Basavaraj Kannale shortly before the test.
The agency has alleged that candidates were charged between ₹30 lakh and ₹40 lakh for access to the leaked question paper and answers. Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka-cadre, was arrested by the ED on September 18 in connection with the money-laundering investigation arising from alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. The ED’s website confirms the arrests of Gangwar and Kannale and says both were remanded to ED custody.
ED Alleges Paper Was Passed to Middleman Before Exam
According to the ED, Gangwar was responsible for the custody and supervision of confidential examination material while serving as KPSC Controller of Examinations.
The agency has alleged that he misused his position and provided the veterinary officers’ examination paper, along with the correct answers, to Kannale a day before the scheduled examination in exchange for illegal gratification.
“Investigation revealed that Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar misused his official position and facilitated the leakage of the veterinary officers’ recruitment exam question paper containing the correct answers to Basavaraj Kannale, one day prior to the scheduled examination in consideration of illegal gratification,” the ED said.
Kannale allegedly approached candidates and assured them of selection in return for payment. The ED said the amount initially demanded was around ₹80 lakh per candidate, but was subsequently negotiated to approximately ₹30–40 lakh.
Candidates Allegedly Taken to Resort to Memorise Answers
The investigation has also brought details of meetings held away from the examination system.
The ED has alleged that candidates who paid for access to the leaked material were taken to a resort near Bengaluru, where they were given the question paper and correct answers and asked to memorise them before appearing for the examination.
Earlier CID investigations had identified four villas near Bengaluru where aspirants were allegedly accommodated before the veterinary officer examination. Investigators said the locations were used to provide candidates access to leaked examination material.
Reports on the investigation have also indicated that some candidates were allegedly given preparation or training based on the leaked questions before being taken to their examination centres.
Probe Examines Alleged Money Trail
The financial investigation is examining how money allegedly collected from candidates moved through intermediaries and other accounts.
The ED has alleged that the proceeds included bank transfers and other forms of payment. Earlier investigation reports also said that a middleman allegedly paid money to Gangwar and that jewellery purchases were being examined as part of the suspected financial trail.
The ED has registered the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on FIRs relating to alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment examination. The agency is investigating the alleged proceeds of crime alongside the underlying recruitment allegations.
KPSC Recruitment Case Under Wider Investigation
The veterinary officers’ examination was conducted for 400 posts. The case has involved allegations of question-paper leakage, bribery and manipulation of the recruitment process.
The Karnataka High Court has separately ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar to conduct a fresh investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers. The court gave the new team 100 days to complete its investigation and directed the CID to hand over the relevant records.
The ED investigation has also expanded beyond the original paper-leak allegations, with the agency examining the wider financial network and possible irregularities connected with other recruitment examinations.
The investigation into the alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities remains ongoing, with the ED and Karnataka authorities examining the roles of officials, intermediaries and candidates and tracing the suspected financial transactions.
