Bengaluru, November 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 1.22 crore linked to three former senior officials of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers.
The ED’s Bengaluru Zonal Office issued a Provisional Attachment Order on November 13 under Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
According to the agency, the attached assets belong to Shivashankarappa Sahukar, former KPSC Chairman; Geetha B.V. Shivamurthy, a former commission member; and Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, an IAS officer who served as the commission’s Controller of Examinations.
The ED had earlier conducted searches at multiple locations, including the KPSC office. It arrested Basavaraj Kannale on September 17, Gangwar on September 18, and Sahukar and Geetha B.V. Shivamurthy on October 6 under the provisions of the PMLA.
The investigation was initiated on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha Police Station over alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for Veterinary Officer posts in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
The ED alleged that the then KPSC Chairman, a commission member and the Controller of Examinations, in conspiracy with Kannale and others, misused their official positions and induced candidates to pay illegal gratification in exchange for assured selection.
The agency said the alleged irregularities included leakage of question papers with correct answers marked, circulation of candidate-specific answer keys and misuse of confidential marks during preparation of the 1:3 eligibility list.
According to the ED, Gangwar allegedly leaked the question papers and correct answers to Kannale on January 7, 2026. Kannale then allegedly circulated them among 10 candidates at villas on the outskirts of Bengaluru on January 8, a day before the examination.
The agency claimed that Kannale demanded illegal payments ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh from the candidates. Part of the amount was allegedly received in advance, while the remaining sums were secured through blank signed cheques and promissory notes.
The ED further stated that the OMR answer sheets of these candidates matched the initial answer key published by the KPSC, including answers that were later found incorrect in the revised key.
The agency alleged that the proceeds were collected in cash and through bank accounts of Om Lakshmi Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamita in Bhalki, Bidar, and other third parties, before being disguised through entries in bogus savings accounts.
The ED also claimed that gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 52.30 lakh was purchased in the name of a third person for Gangwar’s benefit. In addition, air travel expenses of Rs 13.31 lakh for Gangwar, his family members and friends were allegedly paid by Kannale through third-party accounts.
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