The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids on Tuesday at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) office in Bengaluru and several other locations as part of a significant probe into a money laundering case related to veterinary officers hiring. This operation targeted suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, and other associates.
Officials reported that authorities initiated searches at about 21 distinct premises across Karnataka and Gujarat. The raids are a part of ongoing investigations into the alleged recruitment scam that has raised serious concerns about corruption within the KPSC.
The investigations stem from FIRs filed by the Bengaluru Police at the Vidhan Soudha police station, which detail alleged irregularities in the selection process for veterinary officers. The ED’s probe adapts the framework of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and highlights potential connections to illegal monetary operations.
The KPSC office in Bengaluru featured prominently in the raids, along with the residences of both suspended Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar and member Shanta Hosmani. Additional searches targeted middlemen implicated in the alleged scam, as well as the Edutest Solutions firm responsible for the digital evaluation of exam papers.
Locations across various districts in Karnataka, including Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, and Belgaum, also experienced searches. The ED has extended its focus to several sites in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, reflecting the extensive nature of this corruption investigation.
According to officials, the agency’s investigations reveal shocking claims that middlemen contacted candidates, demanding bribes ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh for securing jobs. In a standout twist, the complainant submitted audio evidence of these demands, amplifying the case against the culprits involved.
The ED is now investigating additional allegations centered around tampering with OMR answer sheets, potential paper leaks, and facilitation in the selection process for relatives of KPSC officials. Such concerns raise major questions about the transparency and integrity of the recruitment procedures followed by KPSC.
As this investigation unfolds, the ED continues to gather evidence that may elucidate the full extent of corruption within the KPSC. This case serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in government recruitment processes and the need for strict oversight.
