1 day ago
13 Calls Before Interview Put KPSC Member Under Scrutiny
A government agency is investigating a KPSC member and a job candidate.
They spoke on the phone 13 times before the candidate’s interview.
Investigators want to know whether those calls were connected to unfair help.
The candidate says she contacted the member for advice because she understood that Hosamani was a doctor.
She also says she did not recognize Hosamani during the interview.
The investigators have not yet established that a bribe was paid.
Hosamani says the interview system made it difficult to choose a particular panel for a candidate.
The final list of successful candidates has been temporarily stopped while the case is examined.
CID found that KPSC member Dr Shanta Hosamani and a KAS candidate exchanged 13 calls before the May 8 interview.
The candidate reportedly made eight calls and Hosamani made five, with contact continuing until six days before the interview.
Investigators are examining whether the contact was linked to alleged corruption or favoritism in the KAS selection process.
Hosamani’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected, and she appeared before the CID for questioning on September 17.
The Karnataka High Court has stayed the final list for 384 KAS posts amid allegations of irregularities.
- Who
- KPSC member Dr Shanta Hosamani and an unnamed KAS candidate are under investigation; the CID is conducting the probe.
- What
- The CID found 13 phone calls between Hosamani and the candidate before a KAS interview, amid alleged corruption and favoritism claims.
- Where
- The case concerns Karnataka’s KAS recruitment process and proceedings in Karnataka courts.
- When
- The calls occurred before the May 8 interview, reportedly continuing until six days beforehand; Hosamani appeared for questioning on September 17.
- Why
- A complaint alleged that the selection process was compromised and that illegal gratification was paid or promised to secure the post.
Investigators and complainant
Hosamani’s defense
Contact with candidate
Investigators and complainant
The CID says the 13 calls are significant because KPSC rules prohibit members from having contact with candidates.
Hosamani’s defense
The candidate said she contacted Hosamani for advice after identifying her as a doctor, while also saying she did not recognize her during the interview.
Possibility of manipulation
Investigators and complainant
The complaint alleges that the recruitment process was compromised to favor the candidate and involved an illegal payment or promise of payment.
Hosamani’s defense
Hosamani argued that each interview panel had four members and that candidates were assigned to panels by drawing lots on the interview day, making targeted manipulation impossible.
Evidence of bribery
Investigators and complainant
Investigators are examining call records, WhatsApp messages, emails and other digital documents for evidence of corruption.
Hosamani’s defense
The CID has acknowledged that it has not yet established whether Hosamani collected any bribe.
Key facts
- Phone calls
- The candidate reportedly called Hosamani eight times, while Hosamani called the candidate five times.
- Interview date
- The candidate was interviewed on May 8.
- Investigation status
- The CID said it had not determined whether Hosamani collected a bribe.
- Legal allegations
- The two are accused under the Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption & Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023.
- KAS vacancies
- The 2024 recruitment process involved 384 posts, including 74 for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
- Interview pool
- A total of 1,152 candidates were called for interviews, including 222 from the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
- Court action
- The Karnataka High Court stayed publication of the final selection list on July 31.
Quotes
Public prosecutor
Prosecutor who presented the CID’s findings in court
“They called each other 13 times. The candidate has also admitted during police questioning that she contacted the KPSC member.”
indianexpress.com
“members should not conduct the interview of their relatives and they should not have contact with candidates”
indianexpress.com
Dr Shanta Hosamani
KPSC member contesting allegations in her anticipatory bail proceedings
“There is no possibility to manipulate”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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