2 hrs ago
ED alleges middleman paid IAS officer in Karnataka jobs scam
Investigators are examining alleged cheating in a Karnataka government recruitment exam.
They say a middleman named Basavaraj Kannale collected money from candidates.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges he paid Rs 1.3 crore to IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar.
The agency also says jewellery was bought using money handled by the middleman.
Investigators allege Gangwar gave exam questions and answers to Kannale before the test.
Some candidates allegedly received the questions early after paying money.
The exam was for 400 veterinary doctor jobs, and 329 people were selected.
A candidate complained that 29 people with poor academic records scored unusually high marks.
The Enforcement Directorate and Karnataka CID are investigating the alleged bribes, paper leak and laundering of money.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges middleman Basavaraj Kannale paid former KPSC exam controller Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar Rs 1.3 crore in cash.
ED says Kannale also financed jewellery purchases, while the Karnataka CID cited different values for a diamond and gold necklace.
Investigators allege Gangwar gave Kannale veterinary-officer entrance questions and answers on a pen drive on January 7, before the January 9 exam.
Kannale allegedly collected about Rs 1.5 crore in advance bribes, including approximately Rs 80 lakh traced through bank transfers.
The January exam involved 1,400 candidates competing for 400 posts; 329 candidates were selected, prompting an FIR alleging irregular scores.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, Karnataka CID, IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, middleman Basavaraj Kannale, KPSC officials and veterinary officer candidates.
- What
- Authorities are investigating alleged bribes, exam-question leaks and money laundering in Karnataka Public Service Commission veterinary-officer recruitment.
- Where
- Karnataka, including Bengaluru and locations where candidates allegedly stayed in Airbnb villas.
- When
- The entrance exam was held in January; the alleged question handover occurred on January 7, before the January 9 exam. An FIR was filed on July 24, 2026, and Gangwar was arrested on August 29.
- Why
- The probe concerns alleged payments for advance access to exam questions and selection as veterinary officers.
Key facts
- Alleged cash payment
- ED says Kannale paid Gangwar Rs 1.30 crore.
- Alleged jewellery purchase
- ED cited a diamond necklace worth Rs 23 lakh; Karnataka CID cited a gold necklace worth more than Rs 28 lakh.
- Alleged candidate collections
- Kannale allegedly collected about Rs 1.5 crore in advance bribes.
- Bank transfers traced
- Around Rs 80 lakh of the alleged bribes was traced to bank transfers.
- Exam scale
- About 1,400 candidates took the exam for 400 veterinary-doctor posts; 329 were selected.
- Alleged high-scoring candidates
- An FIR alleged that 29 candidates with poor academic records scored above 450 out of 600.
- Legal framework
- The ED is investigating under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Sources
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