KPSC exam scam: ED searches properties linked to IAS officer Gangwar

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the premises of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in Bengaluru and Bareilly on Sunday, as part of its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in an examination conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), officials said.

Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, currently serves as Director-MSME in the Karnataka Department of Industries and Commerce. He previously held the post of Controller of Examinations at the KPSC before being replaced in March this year. Officials said searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at his residences in Bengaluru's Jayamahal area and in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, though it was not immediately clear whether the officer was present at either location when the searches took place.

The raids come days after a controversy erupted on Saturday, August 21, over reports that Gangwar had gone "missing" for several hours. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge later dismissed these reports, clarifying that Gangwar was at his native place in Uttar Pradesh, where he had gone following a family emergency involving his father's health.

Kharge said he had personally spoken to the officer, who was expected to return soon, and rejected any suggestion that Gangwar's absence was connected to the ED's searches at the KPSC. "Circumstances might have led to such conclusions, but nothing of that sort happened," he said, adding that Gangwar had voluntarily indicated he was open to inquiry by any agency as a government servant. Kharge stressed that no allegations currently exist against Gangwar and that no formal request for an inquiry against him has been filed.

This is not the ED's first round of action in the case. On August 18, the agency had searched the KPSC's head office in Bengaluru, along with the premises of former chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, member Shanta Hosmani, and others. The broader investigation centres on alleged financial irregularities linked to the recruitment examination for Veterinary Officers. According to the ED, middlemen allegedly including contact with the complainant demanded bribes ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh per candidate in exchange for securing selection. The agency is also examining allegations of paper leaks, tampering with OMR answer sheets, and the alleged facilitation of selections for relatives of KPSC officials.

Separately, the Karnataka Cabinet decided last week to recommend Sahukar's suspension to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. This follows an earlier ruling by the Karnataka High Court, which had quashed Sahukar's prior suspension and ordered his reinstatement, while leaving room for fresh proceedings if due constitutional procedure is followed.

(With inputs from PTI)