KPSC recruitment case: CID submits probe report to Karnataka govt; cash trail, OMR manipulation revealed
Bengaluru, Sep 22 (IANS) The CID has submitted its report on progress of the investigation into the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment case, to the Karnataka government and also to the trial court. The CID report on the alleged scam in the recruitment of veterinary officers through the KPSC, details the money trail, involvement of middlemen including arrested BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale and the role of officials in manipulating the recruitment process, officials said on Tuesday.
According to the CID report, more than Rs 1.5 crore has been traced or seized during the investigation, besides gold and diamond jewellery worth around Rs 22 lakh.
The report also details the alleged role of accused arrested BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale, who is suspected of collecting money from candidates by promising to help them secure veterinary officer posts.
The investigation found that at least three candidates allegedly paid Rs 60 lakh in cash to Kannale. Kiran Gowda allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh, Mohammed Sohel Rs 20 lakh and Saleem Onti Rs 30 lakh.
The CID has also traced substantial amounts in various bank accounts linked to Kannale and his associates.
According to the report, Rs 64 lakh was found in an account with Om Lakshmi Souharda Cooperative Bank, while Rs 5.2 lakh was traced to a Kotak Mahindra Bank account. Around Rs 71 lakh was also found in an account belonging to Kannale’s wife.
The agency additionally seized Rs 5.60 lakh in cash from Kannale. The total amount traced or frozen in different accounts is estimated to be around Rs 1.5 crore.
The CID report has also highlighted the alleged role of jailed IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, who served as the KPSC Controller of Examinations. Investigators have alleged that he assisted in the manipulation of OMR answer sheets in the recruitment process.
The investigation also reportedly found that jewellery worth around Rs 20 lakh was given by Gyanendra Kumar to his female friend. The jewellery transaction has formed part of the financial trail being examined by investigators.
The CID has identified five middlemen, including Kannale, as having allegedly played a role in the recruitment scam. Investigators are examining how the middlemen allegedly approached candidates, collected money and facilitated access to examination-related material.
The report also contains details of the alleged manipulation of the recruitment process and the flow of money between candidates, middlemen and accounts linked to the accused.
The CID had earlier taken up the investigation after allegations of question paper leaks, OMR sheet manipulation and demands for large sums of money from candidates seeking appointment as veterinary officers. The recruitment was for 400 veterinary officer posts, with allegations emerging after the examination results were announced.
It can be noted that the investigation has now been handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following the Karnataka High Court’s direction for a detailed probe.
The High Court has directed the SIT, headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar, to complete the investigation within 100 days and submit periodic progress reports. The CID has been directed to hand over the case records to the SIT.
–IANS
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