Bengaluru: An alleged question paper leak and recruitment fraud in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary officer examination has revealed details of an alleged pre-exam arrangement in which selected candidates were taken to resorts on the outskirts of Bengaluru and made to memorise answers from the leaked paper.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the case, alleges that then examination controller Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar provided the question paper along with the correct answers to middleman Basavaraj Kannale a day before the examination.
KPSC conducted the veterinary officer recruitment examination on January 8 and 9 this year for 400 posts. Around 1,400 candidates appeared for the examination, of whom 329 were selected. Allegations of irregularities surfaced after unsuccessful candidate Dr S. Manjunath filed an FIR on July 24. He alleged that 29 candidates with poor academic records scored more than 450 marks out of 600 and secured selection.
The ED and the Karnataka Police’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) have arrested Gangwar and Kannale as part of the investigation. The agencies are examining how the leaked question paper allegedly reached candidates and how much money changed hands in the process.
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Candidates allegedly taken to resorts
According to the ED, Kannale had a close association with Gangwar, through which he allegedly obtained the leaked question paper. Gangwar, who was entrusted with the custody and supervision of confidential examination material, is accused of misusing his official position by allegedly providing the question paper with correct answers to Kannale a day before the scheduled examination. The agency has alleged that this was done in exchange for a bribe.
The investigation found, according to the ED, that Kannale subsequently approached multiple candidates and allegedly assured them that they would be selected. He and his associates allegedly provided the leaked question paper and correct answers in exchange for money.
The selected candidates were allegedly taken to resorts on the outskirts of Bengaluru, where they were made to memorise the answers under the supervision of Kannale and his associates. The ED said that on the day of the examination, the candidates were transported to their respective examination centres in vehicles arranged by Kannale or his associates.
The alleged arrangement has given investigators a possible link between the leakage of the confidential examination material and the preparation of candidates before they appeared for the examination.
₹80 lakh initially demanded from each candidate
The investigation has also revealed alleged details of the financial transactions. According to the ED, Kannale initially demanded ₹80 lakh from each candidate. After negotiations, the amount was allegedly settled between ₹30 lakh and ₹40 lakh per candidate. Parts of the agreed amount were allegedly collected in advance through cash and banking channels.
To secure the remaining amounts, some candidates were allegedly made to provide blank signed cheques and promissory notes. The ED said some of these documents were subsequently recovered and seized during searches conducted as part of the investigation.
The agency said the money allegedly collected through the arrangement was handled through multiple channels. These included bank transfers, purchase of jewellery, cash payments for air travel and other cash transactions.
According to the ED, the bank account of Om Lakshmi Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamitha in Bidar was also allegedly used to receive some of the money.
Investigators are now examining the candidates who allegedly benefited from the leaked paper, the complete trail of money and the role of other people involved in the recruitment process. The agencies are also scrutinising documents and other material seized during searches to establish the alleged links in the recruitment case.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and further legal proceedings. The probe is expected to determine the extent of the alleged paper leak, the number of candidates who benefited and the flow of money connected with the suspected recruitment irregularities.
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