Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made several revelations in its investigation into alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Veterinary Officer recruitment examination, alleging that candidates were provided leaked question papers containing correct answers and taken to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru to memorise them ahead of the examination.
The examination was conducted for the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. According to the ED, IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, who was then serving as KPSC Controller of Examinations, allegedly misused his official position to facilitate the leakage of the question paper, while BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale allegedly helped identify candidates and facilitate their selection in exchange for illegal gratification.
Leaked Question Paper Allegedly Provided Before Exam
The ED alleged that Gangwar facilitated the leakage of the Veterinary Officer recruitment examination question paper, along with the correct answers, to Kannale one day before the scheduled examination.
According to the agency, Kannale obtained access to the leaked material through his association with Gangwar, who was responsible for the custody and supervision of confidential examination material.
The ED further alleged that Kannale and his associates approached multiple candidates, promising to facilitate their selection. Around Rs 80 lakh was initially demanded from each candidate, which was later negotiated to between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 40 lakh per candidate, the agency said.
The investigation found that portions of the agreed amounts were allegedly collected in advance through cash and banking channels. Some candidates were also allegedly made to provide blank cheques and promissory notes to secure the remaining amount, some of which were later recovered during searches.
Candidates Allegedly Taken to Resort to Memorise Answers
In a major revelation, the ED said selected candidates were allegedly taken to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they were provided with the leaked question paper containing the correct answers.
The candidates were allegedly made to memorise the answers under the supervision of Kannale and his associates, according to the agency.
The ED further alleged that on the day of the examination, the candidates were transported to their respective examination centres in vehicles arranged by associates of Kannale.
The agency also said the bank account of Om Lakshmi Sowkar Sahakari Sangha Niyamitha, Bidar, was allegedly used to receive amounts connected with the illegal gratification.
ED Arrests Kannale and Gangwar
Based on material gathered during the investigation and reasons recorded under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED arrested Kannale on September 17.
He was subsequently produced before the Special Court for PMLA cases (CCH-4), which granted the ED 14 days of custody on September 29.
Gangwar was formally arrested by the ED on September 18 over his alleged role in facilitating the generation of proceeds of crime arising from the scheduled criminal activity. He was produced before the Special Court on September 21, which also granted the ED 14 days of custody for further investigation.
ED Probes Alleged Money Laundering
The ED said analysis of material seized during searches conducted between September 18 and September 24 indicated that proceeds allegedly generated from the criminal activity were subsequently layered and utilised through various means.
According to the agency, these included bank transfers, purchases of gold jewellery, cash payments for travel and other cash transactions, allegedly to conceal the nature and source of the proceeds and project them as untainted property.
The ED said the investigation is continuing.