ED arrests KPSC chairman, member over money laundering linked to 400 veterinary posts recruitment racket

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and KPSC member BV Geeta in a money laundering case linked to a recruitment racket for 400 veterinary officer posts at KPSC.

The money laundering case involved crores of rupees in cash seized in connection with the KPSC veterinary officer recruitment exam. The action comes after an FIR was registered at the Vidhana Soudha police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

During custodial interrogation, important facts have come to light regarding deep-rooted irregularities prevalent in KPSC, question paper leaks, and systematic corruption, according to an official notification.

The ED, Bengaluru Zonal Office, is currently investigating irregularities in the conduct of the Veterinary Officers Recruitment Examination.

The investigation and evidence collected so far have revealed an organised mechanism for generating proceeds of crime through manipulation of the KPSC recruitment process, particularly the veterinary officers recruitment examination.

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KPSC officials leak question papers, candidate details

Based on the evidence, KPSC members and KPSC officials leaked question papers, candidate-specific answer keys, and the 1:3 merit list to demand bribes.

Some candidates in the veterinary officers examination were provided with correct answer keys just a day before the examination in exchange for bribes ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per candidate.

The leaked answer keys were provided to some candidates by suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and KPSC member BV Geetha in exchange for illegal remuneration, the statement read.

The probe further revealed that BV Geeta gained access to the leaked answer keys through Janendra Kumar Gangwar, IAS, the then Controller of Examinations (COE), KPSC, who was entrusted with the custody and monitoring of confidential examination material.

Based on the seating arrangements of candidates and access to the unedited question papers and answer keys, the COE provided BV Geeta with the correct answer keys for the first 80 questions.

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ED recovers signed blank cheques worth Rs 80 lakh during probe

Geeta received Rs 20 lakh in cash as an advance from one such candidate out of the total agreed bribe amount of Rs 40 lakh. Similarly, Shivshankarappa Sahukar received Rs 10 lakh in cash as an advance from a candidate out of the total agreed bribe amount of Rs 20 lakh.

Six candidates have been identified who scored higher marks in the final selection list, and further investigation is underway to identify a complete list of all such candidates.

Furthermore, ED had also recovered signed blank cheques and signed blank promissory notes amounting to Rs 80 lakh from a successful candidate.

Around 10 successful candidates were taken to a resort or Airbnb villa on the outskirts of Bengaluru a day before the examination, where they were provided with a question paper containing the correct answer options for 80 questions and were asked to practice or memorize those answers.