ED raids KPSC in veterinary officer recruitment case in Karnataka

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations on Tuesday as part of an investigation into money laundering linked to several recruitment scams involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). The targeted locations included 21 premises in Karnataka, such as Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi, as well as sites in Ahmedabad.

The primary focus was on suspended KPSC chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa, who is accused of two cases, including the appointment of his daughter to an Industrial Extension Officer position using a fraudulent income certificate. The ED's actions follow an ongoing probe by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into a scam involving the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers, which occurred just days before a scheduled hearing in the Karnataka High Court regarding a CBI investigation request.

The CID's probe stems from a July 25 complaint from Dr. Manjunath, who alleged that 29 candidates gained unauthorized access to question papers before the veterinary officer exam in January 2026. Several KPSC members and relatives of the chairman were allegedly hired for top ranks. Shivashankarappa was charged under Section 318(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Karnataka Public Examination Act for cheating and unfair means in recruitment.

His anticipatory bail application was denied on August 11. Forensic analysis of 329 seized OMR sheets is currently being conducted. The BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Dr. Manjunath have separately petitioned the High Court for a CBI investigation. Despite these legal challenges, the High Court has granted temporary protection to the 29 candidates involved in the veterinary recruitment case.