ED Raids Premises of IAS Officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in KPSC Recruitment Probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Sunday at the residences of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in Bengaluru and Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The searches are part of a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities regarding a veterinary officer recruitment examination conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Gangwar, a 2016 batch officer currently serving as Director of MSME, previously held the role of Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March of this year.

The investigation focuses on claims that middlemen demanded bribes between 70 lakh and 80 lakh rupees per candidate for selection. The ED is also examining allegations of paper leaks, OMR answer sheet tampering, and the facilitation of appointments for relatives of KPSC officials. Previous searches in this case included the KPSC head office and the premises of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and member Shanta Hosmani. The Karnataka Cabinet has recommended the suspension of Sahukar to the Governor following corruption and nepotism charges.

The raids followed a period of speculation regarding Gangwar's whereabouts. Reports indicated he had been out of contact for nearly two days after booking a last minute flight to Delhi on August 20. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge clarified that Gangwar had traveled to Uttar Pradesh due to a family emergency involving his father's heart related illness. Kharge denied reports that the officer was missing or attempting to evade the ED.

During the Sunday raid in Bengaluru, officials reportedly found the apartment locked and Gangwar absent. The ED team eventually used a locksmith to enter the premises in the presence of a neighbor as a witness. While center right framing emphasizes the Home Minister's statement that no formal allegations have been filed against Gangwar personally, center left framing notes that his role as Controller of Examinations has placed him under scrutiny despite the lack of confirmed evidence of bribery.