KPSC scam: Former chairman appears before CID

Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, the former Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday regarding alleged irregularities within the KPSC. He responded to a notice issued by the CID following searches conducted in connection with the investigation.

The CID had also issued notices to IAS officer Gnanendra Kumar Gangwar and numerous candidates who had scored high marks on the exam. Gangwar, who was previously reported missing during the probe, had held the position of Controller of Examinations at the KPSC between February 2024 and March 2026 before being transferred to the Director of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in June.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is separately investigating the alleged KPSC irregularities, and had issued a notice to Gangwar after he failed to appear at his residence during their searches. The KPSC controversy started when Suma S. Sahukar, the daughter of the former KPSC chairman, was accused of submitting a false income certificate while applying for a government job under the 3B reservation category.

She was subsequently accused by police of registering a false FIR on July 10. The High Court later overturned the suspension of Sahukar, but he was suspended again by the Governor on Tuesday following a recommendation from the State Cabinet. Allegations of bribery and candidates being taken to a resort to receive question papers with answers have been made by veterinary doctors who appeared for the examination to fill 400 posts in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. The State government transferred investigation to the CID on July 28 after mounting allegations.