KPSC Veterinary Recruitment Scam: CID Unearths ₹1.5 Crore Money Trail, Massive Paper Leak
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Karnataka has submitted a damning report to the state government, detailing a widespread recruitment scam within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). The investigation into the selection process for veterinary officers has exposed a financial trail amounting to ₹1.52 crore, alongside concrete evidence that 60 to 80 examination questions were systematically leaked to preferred candidates.
Financial Irregularities and Money Laundering
The probe has uncovered a sophisticated network of cash transfers, bank deposits, and high-value asset acquisitions. According to officials familiar with the investigation, nearly ₹92 lakh was funneled into two specific accounts—one at the Om Lakshmi Souharda Sahakari Sangha in Tilakwadi and another at Kotak Mahindra Bank. These funds were allegedly deposited in tranches ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh by candidates identified as Siddharth, Basavaraj V, Mahendra, and Niranjan.
The scale of corruption extended to direct cash payments as well. Investigators have cataloged substantial bribes paid by other aspirants: ₹10 lakh from Kiran Gowda, ₹20 lakh from Mohammed Sohail, and a staggering ₹30 lakh from Salim Onti. To date, the CID has frozen ₹69.2 lakh across these accounts, while an additional ₹71.18 lakh was seized from accounts belonging to Basavaraj Kannale—the alleged mastermind behind the racket—and his spouse. Authorities also recovered ₹5.76 lakh in liquid cash during raids on Kannale’s premises.
Involvement of High-Ranking Officials
The scandal has reached the upper echelons of the bureaucracy, implicating IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar. Gangwar, a 2016-batch officer who served as the KPSC controller of examinations from February 2024 to March 2026, is accused of using proceeds from the scam for personal enrichment. The investigation report highlights the recovery of a diamond and gold necklace worth approximately ₹22 lakh, allegedly purchased by Gangwar for his associate, Yaashi Jaiswal. CID officials have already recorded Jaiswal’s statement as part of the evidence-gathering process.
Following his tenure as exam controller, Gangwar was moved to the post of Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in June. Currently, both Gangwar and Kannale are in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel money-laundering inquiry into the case.
Modus Operandi of the Leak
The core of the investigation centers on how the sanctity of the examination was compromised. CID findings indicate that between 60 and 80 questions were illicitly provided to candidates prior to the test. In some instances, select aspirants were even subjected to dedicated practice sessions to master the leaked material. An intermediary named Pawan has reportedly provided a detailed account of how these leaks and “coaching” sessions were orchestrated.
The CID’s case is bolstered by digital evidence, including WhatsApp logs involving Kannale, intermediaries, and the beneficiaries of the leak. Investigators have seized various documents related to the veterinary officer recruitment, while 40 candidates have been interrogated so far, including 29 who were explicitly named in the initial FIR. As the probe continues, the involvement of intermediaries who acted as conduits between the masterminds and the candidates remains a focal point for the authorities.
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