KPSC 'scam' case: ED raids IAS officer Gangwar's premsies in Karnataka, UP

ED searches IAS officer's premises in Bengaluru, Bareilly in KPSC probe

The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday searched the premises of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in Bengaluru and Bareilly in connection with its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in a Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment examination, officials said.

Gangwar, a 2016-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, is currently posted as Director-MSME in the Karnataka Department of Industries and Commerce. He earlier served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC and was replaced from the post in March this year, according to multiple reports.

The searches were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at Gangwar's residence in Bengaluru's Jayamahal area and his premises in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, officials said. It was not immediately clear whether the officer was present at either location.

The action came a day after Gangwar's absence from Bengaluru triggered speculation. He had been unreachable since August 20, prompting reports that he had gone missing. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Saturday that Gangwar had travelled to Uttar Pradesh following a family emergency related to his father's health. Kharge said he had spoken to Gangwar and that the officer had communicated with the government regarding his absence. He dismissed suggestions that Gangwar's absence was linked to the ED's earlier searches in the KPSC case.

"Circumstances might have led to such conclusions, but nothing of that sort happened," Kharge told reporters. He added, "There are no allegations against him currently, and no one has filed an application seeking an inquiry against him; let this be very clear."

According to sources cited by The Times of India, Intelligence Bureau and Central Crime Branch officials verified Gangwar's whereabouts before Kharge's statement, finding evidence that he travelled from Kempegowda International Airport to Delhi and then by private vehicle to Uttar Pradesh. The report also said Gangwar had applied for leave for a week.

The search at Gangwar's residence

When ED officials arrived at Gangwar's apartment in Bengaluru on Sunday, security personnel initially refused them entry, saying they were instructed not to allow anyone inside. Reports describe the guards locking the apartment gate and Gangwar's phone reportedly being switched off when officials tried to contact him.

The house was found locked, and officials called a locksmith to prepare a duplicate key to gain entry. A neighbour was arranged to be present as a witness while the door was opened, according to reports. Hindustan Times reported that officials recorded the process of opening the house as part of their search procedure, and that CRPF personnel and ED officials underwent security checks before entering. The team is understood to have spent nearly three hours trying to gain access before entering the locked residence, while The Hindu reported the officials spent nearly two hours at the premises.

The New Indian Express reported that the officials seized a printer from Gangwar's residence during the search.

The broader KPSC investigation

The searches on Gangwar come days after the ED conducted its first round of searches in the case on August 18, at the KPSC office in Bengaluru and the premises of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, member Shanta Hosmani, and others, officials said. The New Indian Express reported that the ED recently raided 21 premises across Karnataka and Gujarat in connection with the case.

The probe relates to alleged financial irregularities in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers conducted by the KPSC. ED alleges that middlemen demanded bribes of Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh per candidate for securing appointments, according to Deccan Chronicle and The Economic Times. The agency is also looking into allegations of paper leak, OMR answer sheet tampering, and facilitation of relatives of KPSC officials in the final selection.

According to The Times of India, cases were initially registered at Vidhana Soudha police station in July, alleging a scam in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers, with bribes of around Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh. The cases were transferred to the CID, following which the ED took up the money laundering investigation.

In a related development, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to recommend to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot the suspension of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, Deccan Chronicle reported. However, the Karnataka High Court quashed Sahukar's earlier suspension and directed his reinstatement, while leaving open the possibility of fresh proceedings if the prescribed constitutional procedure is followed.

Status of the investigation

The ED has not publicly disclosed specific allegations against Gangwar or the material recovered during the searches, according to multiple reports. Officials are verifying documents available at Gangwar's house, including CCTV footage of the building, The Times of India reported. The searches were expedited to continue till midnight, with officials ordering dinner for the ED team at the residence, the report added.

Kharge said Gangwar had stated he is open to an inquiry by any agency as a government servant. The minister also noted that no one has filed an application seeking an inquiry against Gangwar thus far.