2 weeks ago
ED raids 21 locations in KPSC veterinary officer recruitment scam
The Karnataka Public Service Commission is a group that helps the government choose people for official jobs.
This story is about picking animal doctors called veterinary officers for the state government.
Many people complained the selection was unfair and that some candidates secretly paid money to get jobs.
Investigators called the Enforcement Directorate searched 21 homes and offices to look for evidence.
They are checking whether exam answer sheets were changed and whether test questions were leaked early.
They are also looking into reports that leaders of the commission helped their own relatives get jobs.
The head of the commission was told to step aside for now while the investigation continues.
The list of chosen candidates was stopped from being used until everything is checked.
Middlemen who asked for money have been arrested, and a court is watching the case.
If people are found guilty of cheating, they could face serious punishment.
ED raided 21 premises across Karnataka and in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in a money laundering probe into KPSC veterinary officer recruitment irregularities.
The probe stems from FIRs at Vidhana Soudha police station, with allegations that middlemen demanded bribes of Rs 70-80 lakh per candidate (one report cites Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore per seat).
Searched premises include the KPSC office, suspended chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar's residence, member Shanta Hosmani, evaluation firm Edutest Solutions, and selected candidates.
Investigations also cover alleged paper leaks, OMR answer sheet tampering, and facilitation of selection of relatives of KPSC officials.
The selection list for 400 veterinary officer posts, released July 17, 2026, was put on hold; Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had suspended Sahukar in July over his daughters' appointments.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED), KPSC suspended chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, alleged middlemen, Edutest Solutions, and selected veterinary officer candidates.
- What
- ED search operations at 21 locations into alleged irregularities and money laundering in the KPSC veterinary officer recruitment process.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi and Belagavi in Karnataka, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
- When
- Tuesday (raids); the controversy followed the release of the final selection list on July 17, 2026, for the exam held on January 8, 2026.
- Why
- Because of allegations of bribery, paper leaks, OMR answer sheet tampering, and favours to relatives of KPSC officials in the selection of veterinary officers.
Petitioners calling for a CBI probe
State government and CID
Who should investigate the KPSC recruitment scam
Petitioners calling for a CBI probe
Some petitioners before the Karnataka High Court demand the investigation be shifted from the CID to the CBI, arguing a central agency should handle the case.
State government and CID
The Karnataka government has tasked the CID with the investigation, which has registered FIRs against key figures and arrested middlemen.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office
- Premises raided
- 21
- Raid locations
- Karnataka (Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, Belagavi) and Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Alleged bribe demand
- Rs 70-80 lakh per candidate (one report cites Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore per seat)
- Posts involved
- 400 Veterinary Officer posts
- Exam date
- January 8, 2026
- Selection list published
- July 17, 2026 (later put on hold)
- Legal basis
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Section 17; FIRs at Vidhana Soudha police station











