Karnataka govt clears prosecution of suspended IAS officer in KPSC recruitment scam

Bengaluru, Oct 24 : Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the state government had approved the prosecution of suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in connection with alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process.

In a post on X, Shivakumar said the government would not tolerate corruption or protect those involved in wrongdoing. He stressed that every job aspirant deserved a fair opportunity based on merit and hard work.

The government's approval for prosecution has paved the way for further legal proceedings against Gangwar in the alleged recruitment scam.

Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC from February 2024 to March 2026. He was later posted as Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Department of Industries and Commerce. He was subsequently arrested in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities and suspended by the state government.

The case relates to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers in Karnataka. The competitive examination was conducted on January 8 and 9, 2026, and the final selection list was published on July 17.

According to the allegations, the question paper was leaked to candidates before the examination, with some aspirants reportedly paying large sums of money to obtain access to it. Investigators are also probing suspected manipulation of marks and irregularities involving candidates who secured top ranks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Gangwar on August 29 as part of its investigation into the alleged examination fraud. Several other persons suspected of involvement have also come under the scanner.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a separate investigation into suspected money laundering linked to the alleged recruitment scam.

The case has raised serious concerns over the integrity and transparency of recruitment conducted by the KPSC, which is responsible for selecting candidates for various Karnataka government services.

Shivakumar reiterated that the government was committed to ensuring transparency, integrity and accountability in public recruitment and governance. He said any wrongdoing that jeopardised the future of young people or undermined their faith in a fair selection process would not be tolerated.

The approval for prosecution is a procedural step and does not establish the officer's guilt. The allegations will be examined through the legal process, and his guilt or innocence can be determined only by a competent court.