Bengaluru, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, arrested in connection with the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam, is scheduled to be produced before a Bengaluru court on Monday as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) prepares to seek his custody for further questioning.
Kumar, who served as KPSC Controller of Examinations, was arrested after two days of questioning over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers. The Bengaluru First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate court had subsequently remanded him to one-day judicial custody and directed that he be produced before an open court on August 31.
The CID is expected to seek up to 14 days of custody. Investigators are examining allegations involving manipulation of OMR answer sheets, irregularities in evaluation and the possible role of officials and intermediaries in facilitating the recruitment of candidates.
Kumar was questioned extensively on August 28 and 29, with the sessions continuing late into the night. Investigators are examining alleged inconsistencies in his statements and evidence purportedly linking him to manipulation of OMR sheets. The agency is also probing allegations that selected candidates were provided training at hotels and resorts.
The investigation is likely to widen to former KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, commission officials and other persons associated with the recruitment process. Details of four recruitment examinations conducted during the past three years are reportedly being examined. These include examinations for the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Industries and Commerce Department, besides the veterinary officer recruitment examination.
Meanwhile, the CID searched the residence of BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale at Donagapura village in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district. Kannale was arrested by the CID in Delhi on Sunday and is being investigated for his alleged role as a middleman who helped candidates secure government jobs.
Kannale, a BJP leader from Bidar, is reportedly considered close to former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan. He is also reportedly seeking a BJP ticket to contest the Bhalki Assembly constituency.
The alleged veterinary officer recruitment scam has also drawn the attention of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has searched the residences of the former KPSC chairman, commission members and officials. The ED had earlier searched Kumar’s residence while he was away in Uttar Pradesh. Officials subsequently opened the house using a duplicate key and conducted the search.
The CID has also searched the KPSC office as part of its probe into allegations of question paper leaks, marks manipulation and other recruitment irregularities during Kumar’s tenure.
With Kumar’s custody hearing and Kannale’s arrest adding new dimensions to the investigation, the CID is expected to examine the possible involvement of officials, candidates and other intermediaries in the alleged recruitment irregularities.