Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has sanctioned the prosecution of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in connection with the alleged question paper leak in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment examination for veterinary officers.

The development marks a significant step in the case, which is being investigated separately by the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The investigations are examining alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and suspected financial transactions linked to the case.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Shivakumar said the government would not tolerate corruption or actions that jeopardised the future of young people. He stressed that transparency and integrity in public recruitment were priorities and that those responsible for undermining the credibility of the selection system would not be protected.

IAS officer accused of leaking confidential question paper

According to allegations emerging from the ED investigation, the question paper for the veterinary officers’ recruitment examination, along with its answers, was leaked a day before the test.

Gangwar, who was reportedly serving as the examination controller at the time, is accused of misusing his official position to pass the confidential examination material to Basavaraj Kannale, identified as the prime accused in the case.

Investigators suspect that the alleged leak enabled a group of candidates to gain access to the questions and answers before the examination, compromising the fairness of the recruitment process.

The allegations have raised concerns about the security of confidential examination material and the integrity of competitive recruitment examinations conducted for government positions.

The prosecution sanction allows the relevant legal proceedings against the IAS officer to move forward, subject to the applicable procedures. However, the allegations against him remain to be established through the judicial process.

Candidates allegedly given leaked questions at Bengaluru resort

The investigation has alleged that Kannale and his associates arranged accommodation for candidates at a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru before the examination.

According to the allegations, the candidates were given access to the leaked question paper and answers, allowing them to prepare using confidential material before appearing for the test.

The accused allegedly arranged vehicles to transport the candidates to their respective examination centres the following day, ensuring that they reached the venues on time.

Investigators are examining the alleged roles of those involved in obtaining, distributing and using the examination material, as well as the arrangements made for the candidates.

If established, the alleged activities would represent a serious breach of examination procedures and undermine the principle that all candidates must compete on an equal footing.

The case has also brought renewed attention to safeguards surrounding the handling of question papers, access to examination material and accountability in government recruitment.

Candidates allegedly asked to pay up to Rs 80 lakh

The ED investigation has also focused on the suspected financial arrangements linked to the alleged recruitment scam.

According to the allegations, the accused initially demanded approximately Rs 80 lakh from each candidate. The amount was reportedly negotiated down to between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 40 lakh per candidate.

Investigators have alleged that advance payments were collected in cash and through bank accounts. Signed blank cheques and promissory notes were reportedly obtained to secure the remaining amounts.

The alleged payment arrangements form a key part of the financial investigation, as authorities seek to establish how money was collected, transferred and potentially concealed.

The suspected amounts involved point to an alleged scheme in which access to confidential examination material was linked to substantial payments from candidates seeking government employment.

The allegations are part of the ongoing investigation, and the precise roles of the individuals involved will have to be determined through the evidence gathered by the agencies.

ED examines suspected money laundering

The ED has reportedly traced suspicious transactions to an account at Om Lakshmi Souharda Cooperative Society in Bidar as part of its investigation into the suspected financial proceeds of the alleged scam.

Investigators are also examining suspected attempts to conceal the money through gold purchases, cash payments for air travel and benami bank transactions.

The agency’s probe is separate from the criminal investigation into the alleged examination paper leak. While the CID’s SIT is investigating the recruitment-related allegations, the ED is examining possible money laundering and the movement of suspected proceeds.

The financial investigation is intended to establish whether the alleged payments were routed through different channels to conceal their origin, ownership or intended beneficiaries.

Any conclusions regarding the transactions and the alleged involvement of individuals will depend on the evidence established during the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

CID and ED continue separate investigations

Multiple first information reports (FIRs) were registered at Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha police station in connection with the alleged irregularities before the case was transferred to the CID’s Special Investigation Team.

The ED subsequently initiated a separate investigation into suspected money laundering linked to the alleged paper leak and financial transactions.

The two investigations are examining different aspects of the case, including the alleged leak of confidential examination material, the role of those suspected of facilitating access to the paper and the movement of money allegedly collected from candidates.

The sanction for prosecuting Gangwar represents an important procedural development. It enables the authorities to proceed with prosecution in accordance with the applicable legal framework, although the sanction itself does not establish guilt.

Recruitment transparency under scrutiny

The alleged KPSC question paper leak has raised serious questions about the protection of confidential examination material and the integrity of recruitment to public-sector positions.

Competitive examinations are a key route to government employment, with candidates investing considerable time and resources in preparation. Allegations that confidential papers were made available to selected candidates before an examination can undermine public confidence in the selection process.

The Karnataka government’s stated position is that corruption affecting recruitment will not be tolerated. The continuing investigations will be crucial in establishing the sequence of events, identifying the individuals responsible and determining whether criminal offences were committed.

With prosecution sanctioned against Gangwar and separate probes continuing under the CID’s SIT and the ED, the case is set to proceed through further investigative and legal stages. The allegations against the officer and other individuals must ultimately be tested in court, with guilt determined in accordance with the law.