The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a major crackdown by raiding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) office in Bengaluru, targeting suspended Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar and member Shanta Hosmani. This action forms a part of a larger investigation concerning a money laundering case linked to irregularities in the recruitment exam for veterinary officers.
The ED’s operations spanned across 21 locations in Karnataka and Gujarat, focusing on potential evidence and testimonies from various individuals involved in the scandal. This expansive operation underscores the agency’s commitment to address corruption within public service recruitment.
Officials from the ED stated that the raid was initiated after they registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The current allegations include significant improprieties in the selection process for veterinary officers. The agency is probing multiple FIRs filed by the Bengaluru Police concerning the final selection process.
Key locations under investigation include the homes of the KPSC officials, known middlemen in the scheme, and an entity named Edutest Solutions, which was responsible for the digital evaluation of examination papers. Notably, the scrutiny also covers locations across various districts including Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, and Davangere, along with specific sites in Gujarat.
Allegations suggest that certain middlemen solicited bribes ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh from candidates in exchange for guaranteed selection. The complainant reported these demands to authorities, providing recorded audio evidence of such conversations involving the middlemen.
The ongoing ED investigation is delving into serious accusations including possible paper leaks, manipulation of OMR answer sheets, and preferential treatment in the selection of candidates, particularly relatives of KPSC officials. Such practices, if proven, demonstrate severe corruption within the recruitment framework aimed at ensuring qualified professionals in public service roles.
The ED’s actions reflect increasing scrutiny over transparency in public recruitment processes and the necessity for accountability among officials. As the investigation unfolds, officials urge anyone with more information on the case to step forward, promising protection for whistleblowers who could assist in unraveling layers of corruption within the KPSC.
With the focus now intensifying on the KPSC and its officials, it remains to be seen how this legal battle will evolve and what repercussions await those involved in these alleged corrupt practices.
