5 days ago
Kumaraswamy Seeks Priyank Kharge Resignation Over KPSC Allegations
H D Kumaraswamy says there were problems in the selection of 24 government engineers in Karnataka.
The jobs were filled through the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
A complaint said some candidates’ answer sheets may have been changed and that some exam videos were missing.
A KPSC group investigated the complaint and sent available records to a forensic laboratory.
Kumaraswamy says the government still published the results and appointed the candidates while the inquiry was continuing.
He wants Home Minister Priyank Kharge to resign because Kharge was in charge of the department when the process took place.
Kharge’s direct response to these allegations was not included in the reports.
In a related matter, IAS officer Gyandendra Kumar Gangwar appeared before investigators and gave a statement.
H D Kumaraswamy demanded Priyank Kharge’s resignation over alleged irregularities in 24 KPSC AEE appointments.
The allegations involve suspected OMR-sheet manipulation, unavailable CCTV footage and complaints made before the final selection list.
A KPSC sub-committee examined records and sent OMR sheets, carbon copies and available CCTV footage for forensic review.
The final selection list was published on January 31, 2024, and appointments proceeded despite the inquiry, Kumaraswamy alleged.
IAS officer Gyandendra Kumar Gangwar appeared before the CID and gave preliminary submissions after being unavailable since August 22.
- Who
- Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy made allegations against Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge; 24 AEE candidates and IAS officer Gyandendra Kumar Gangwar are also involved in the reports.
- What
- Kumaraswamy alleged irregularities in KPSC AEE recruitment and sought Kharge’s resignation; Gangwar separately appeared before the CID.
- Where
- The events concern Karnataka, with the reports referring to proceedings in Bengaluru and before the Karnataka High Court.
- When
- The complaint was submitted in September 2023; the AEE examination was held on July 2, 2023; the final list was published on January 31, 2024; Gangwar appeared on a Friday after being unavailable since August 22.
- Why
- Kumaraswamy said appointments should not have proceeded while complaints and an inquiry into the selection process were pending.
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Reported institutional actions and unanswered questions
Appointments during inquiry
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy alleged that the government rushed to appoint the candidates despite complaints, missing footage and an ongoing inquiry.
Reported institutional actions and unanswered questions
The reports confirm that the final list was published and appointments followed, but they do not provide a direct explanation from Priyank Kharge or the government for proceeding.
KPSC handling of records
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy alleged that the KPSC secretary failed to cooperate with the inquiry, overruled the Commission’s powers and forwarded an unauthorised list.
Reported institutional actions and unanswered questions
The reports say KPSC members formed a sub-committee, requested forensic examination and later objected to how the selection list was forwarded; the secretary’s response is not included.
Priyank Kharge’s responsibility
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy said Kharge was the department minister when the examination and selection decisions occurred and therefore demanded his resignation.
Reported institutional actions and unanswered questions
The reports establish Kharge’s departmental role at the time but do not report a direct response from him to the allegations or resignation demand.
Gangwar’s absence
Kumaraswamy’s allegations
Kumaraswamy alleged that the state government hid Gangwar so the Enforcement Directorate could not obtain information from him.
Reported institutional actions and unanswered questions
Gangwar later appeared before the CID after being directed to do so and gave preliminary submissions; the reports do not establish that the government concealed him.
Key facts
- Recruitment
- The allegations concern 24 Assistant Executive Engineers recruited through the Karnataka Public Service Commission for the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department.
- Examination
- The AEE examination was held on July 2, 2023.
- Complaint
- A September 2023 complaint sought verification of candidates’ OMR sheets and examination-centre CCTV footage.
- Investigation
- A three-member KPSC sub-committee examined applications, admission cards, face-recognition data, OMR sheets, carbon copies and available CCTV footage.
- Forensic review
- The OMR sheets and available carbon copies were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, while available CCTV footage was also examined.
- Final list
- The final selection list was published on January 31, 2024, according to the PTI report.
- Separate allegation
- Kumaraswamy referred to an allegation in a KPSC veterinary recruitment case that candidates were asked for ₹80 lakh, including ₹40 lakh as an advance.
- Gangwar development
- Gyandendra Kumar Gangwar appeared before the CID and made preliminary submissions for about one and a half hours.
Quotes
H D Kumaraswamy
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and former Karnataka chief minister
“The KPSC secretary repeatedly overruled the Commission’s powers and sent whatever list he wanted to the government. What action have you taken against him? What action have you taken against the officers responsible?”
theprint.in
“If you have even a little regard for the words you use, you must resign immediately. If you want to demonstrate transparent administration, do it.”
theprint.in
Sources
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