Karnataka challenges KPSC probe order in Supreme Court
The Karnataka government has challenged a High Court order for a fresh probe into two KPSC recruitments. The appeal seeks a stay on the September 21 order and permission for the state Criminal Investigation Department to continue its probe.
The High Court had formed a five-member Special Investigation Team led by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar. It ordered the team to investigate cases linked to the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers and 50 industrial extension officers.
The court gave the SIT 100 days to complete the investigation and directed it to submit progress reports every 30 days. It also ordered the CID and jurisdictional police to transfer their records and evidence to the new team.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra represented the state before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. The state argued that starting the investigation again could affect evidence already gathered by the CID and disrupt ongoing custody and bail proceedings.
According to media reports, the CID has seized original OMR sheets and digital devices, frozen money in bank accounts and arrested alleged conspirators. The state named former KPSC controller of examinations Gyanendra Kumar and alleged middleman Basavaraj Kannale among those arrested.
The veterinary officer case concerns allegations that middlemen demanded up to Rs 80 lakh from candidates for answers and promised to alter OMR sheets. The industrial extension officer recruitment came under scrutiny after the KPSC chairman's daughter was selected, following which the governor suspended the chairman.
The South First reported that the government told the Supreme Court that the CID had completed about 80 per cent of its investigation. The state also questioned the High Court's selection of officers for the SIT without consulting the government.
The High Court has kept open requests for a CBI investigation while choosing an SIT for the fresh probe. The connected petitions are listed for further hearing on January 5, 2027, according to Courtbook's account of the order.
