KPSC job scam: CID raids Karnataka BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale’s house

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Sep 1 raided and inspected the residence of the arrested accused and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale in Sanjaynagar, Bengaluru, in connection with the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam.

During the search, the CID officials reportedly seized call detail records (CDRs) and CCTV footage as part of the investigation, sources said.

The investigation has reportedly revealed that around 20 candidates are willing to turn approvers and have confessed to their involvement in the alleged scam. The CID is also examining irregularities in the recruitment of KAS officers and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs).

The CID has named suspended KPSC Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa as accused No. 1 in the case; KPSC members as accused No. 2; KPSC officials as accused No. 4; and 29 selected candidates as accused No. 5.

Investigators have reportedly established that the 29 selected candidates had paid money in connection with the recruitment process.

Arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar has also been named as the fifth accused in the case, while BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale has been named as the sixth accused.

The CID has arrested Gyanendra Kumar and Kannale, while further legal action is expected against the other accused who have not yet been arrested.

The role of alleged middlemen is also under investigation, with officials examining their involvement in the recruitment process.

Gyanendra Kumar, who was responsible for conducting examinations and maintaining the confidentiality of question papers, is now among the key accused in the case, according to the investigation.

The CID is likely to make more arrests as the probe progresses, sources said.

A Bengaluru court on Monday remanded IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale to 10 days of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) custody in connection with the alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities involving the recruitment of veterinary officers.

The court granted the CID custody of the duo until September 9 to facilitate further questioning and investigation into the alleged question paper leak, manipulation of OMR answer sheets and other irregularities in the recruitment process.

Gyanendra Kumar was arrested by the CID after being questioned for two days over alleged irregularities in the veterinary officer recruitment examination. He was subsequently produced before the Bengaluru First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court, which had earlier remanded him to one day of judicial custody and directed that he be produced before an open court on Aug 31.

Investigators questioned Kumar extensively on Aug 28 and 29, with the interrogation reportedly continuing till late at night. Officials are examining alleged inconsistencies in his statements and evidence that purportedly points to his role in the alleged manipulation of OMR sheets.

The agency is also investigating allegations that selected candidates were provided training at hotels and resorts as part of the alleged recruitment process.

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