Karnataka Government Suspends IAS Officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar Over KPSC Recruitment Scam

The Karnataka government has suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar following his arrest in connection with an alleged fraud involving the recruitment of 400 veterinarians for the state's Animal Husbandry and Fisheries department. Gangwar, a 2016 batch officer who was serving as the Director for the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, previously held the role of Controller of Examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) when the alleged irregularities occurred. He was remanded to judicial custody on August 30 and later taken into police custody for further investigation.

According to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Gangwar allegedly manipulated the recruitment process by providing finalized exam questions to an associate, Basavaraj Kannale, two days before the test. Investigators claim that Gangwar later altered OMR sheets and ensured that candidates who paid bribes received higher marks in interviews. Reports indicate that the sums demanded from candidates ranged from 40 lakh to 80 lakh rupees. The CID is currently tracing financial transactions through bank accounts belonging to relatives and friends of the accused to establish a money trail.

The investigation has expanded beyond the veterinary recruitment. The CID is examining whether similar manipulation occurred in other KPSC recruitments, including 'B' Group posts and DySP appointments. Additionally, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted raids at Gangwar's residences in Bengaluru and Uttar Pradesh, stating that corruption in the KPSC recruitment processes was solely attributable to him.

The state government ordered the suspension citing the gravity of the allegations and the officer's detention for over 48 hours. Gangwar will receive a subsistence allowance during his suspension and is prohibited from leaving the headquarters without written permission. The CID has sent 329 OMR sheets to the state Forensic Science Laboratory to authenticate allegations of foul play.