Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) questioned Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, for more than nine hours on Friday in connection with alleged irregularities in a Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment examination.
Gangwar appeared before the CID investigating officer, ACP Raghavendra K Hegde, following a notice directing him to join the investigation. The questioning focused on the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and his role as KPSC’s Controller of Examinations during the period under investigation.
Gangwar’s role at KPSC
Gangwar is a 2016-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre. He served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC from February 2024 until March 2026, before moving to the Karnataka government’s Department of Industries and Commerce, where he is serving as Director, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
The CID’s questioning comes amid a wider investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers conducted by the KPSC.
ED searches Gangwar’s premises
The development follows searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at premises linked to Gangwar in Bengaluru and Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, as part of its money-laundering investigation related to the alleged KPSC examination irregularities. The searches were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED has also been examining the financial aspects of the alleged irregularities. Earlier reports said the agency was investigating alleged transactions connected with the recruitment examination.
Probe widens over alleged examination irregularities
The investigation has involved multiple agencies and officials. The CID is examining the alleged irregularities in the recruitment process, while the ED is investigating the possible financial aspects.
The ED has alleged that some candidates were provided access to examination material before the test. According to a recent report based on the agency’s findings, candidates were allegedly given the question paper and answer key at a private villa a day before an examination. These remain allegations under investigation.
The CID has also been questioning individuals connected with the recruitment process as it investigates how the alleged irregularities occurred.
Officer had earlier been reported missing
Gangwar’s appearance before the CID also follows a brief controversy over his whereabouts earlier this week. He was reported missing for several hours, after which Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the officer was safe and had travelled to his native place in Uttar Pradesh due to a family emergency involving his father’s health.
