KPSC recruitment irregularity row: IAS appears before CID

Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, the subject of recent scrutiny due to Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches, testified before the criminal investigation department (CID) on Friday. Gangwar faced questioning regarding allegations of irregularities in the veterinary officer recruitment process and his involvement when he held the position of KPSC examination controller.

The ED conducted searches at Gangwar's residence in Bengaluru and his hometown in Uttar Pradesh as part of their probe into the alleged financial misconduct. Gangwar had requested 15 days' leave due to his father's health concerns, claiming his father had suffered a heart attack. However, concerns arose about his absence following the ED searches, prompting the CID to issue a notice for him to appear for questioning.

The controversy sparked a political dispute in Karnataka, with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy questioning Home Minister Priyank Kharge about the government's response to the issue. While the ED is investigating the financial aspects of the case, the CID is focusing on the recruitment process and the involvement of officials.

Gangwar, a 2016 batch IAS officer, is now serving as the director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the Karnataka Department of Industries and Commerce. The CID intends to question Gangwar about various aspects of the recruitment process, including examination conduct, record handling, and administrative decisions.

His testimony may provide crucial insights into the sequence of events and help establish whether any officials or intermediaries were implicated in the alleged irregularities.