Yogesh K Porwar
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and intermediary Basavaraj Kannale,key accused in the alleged irregularities in recruitment conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
Both accused,who were already in judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison,were taken into ED custody late Friday night for questioning in connection with the alleged recruitment scam.
The ED had earlier sought custody of the two after the CID arrested them and produced them before a court.
The duo had reportedly been questioned by the CID for three days.
Following allegations that they were not cooperating with the investigation,the ED arrested them from the prison and brought them to its office for further questioning.
The ED is expected to produce both before the court after completing the interrogation and seek further custody for investigation.
Rs.11 lakh air travel expenses under scanner:
According to investigation sources,Kannale allegedly spent around Rs.11 lakh on air tickets for Gangwar,who travelled extensively across the country,including to New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.
The expenditure is allegedly linked to arrangements made by Kannale for Gangwar.
The CID investigation has reportedly found supporting evidence regarding the expenditure.
Gangwar,a 2016-batch Karnataka-cadre IAS officer, served as KPSC Controller of Examinations from February 2024 to March 2026.
Investigators suspect that during his tenure,Kannale, who allegedly acted as an intermediary,had worked out a plan to facilitate irregularities in recruitments,including the veterinary officers’ recruitment.
The investigation is also examining allegations relating to leakage of question papers and alleged dealings with candidates.
Several meetings at Gangwar’s residence:
Investigators have reportedly found that Kannale had gained Gangwar’s confidence by allegedly fulfilling his requirements.
Kannale is also suspected to have visited Gangwar’s residence several times and held discussions regarding recruitment-related dealings.
After the alleged deals were successful, Kannale is said to have arranged travel for Gangwar to different parts of the country.
Investigators are examining the expenditure on air tickets as part of the alleged financial trail.
Kannale allegedly planned to flee to Kazakhstan.
Investigators also suspect that Kannale had planned to leave the country after the recruitment scam investigation intensified.
He had reportedly obtained a visa to stay in Kazakhstan for a month.
The CID allegedly traced his movements shortly before he was scheduled to travel from New Delhi and arrested him.
Sources said Kannale initially appeared confident when taken into custody and allegedly claimed that he would be released within hours, citing his political connections.
13 bank accounts,Rs.67 lakh seized:
The investigation has also uncovered 13 bank accounts allegedly used for transferring money received from candidates.
Investigators reportedly found accounts in several banks, including an account linked to the Sri Lakshmi Souhardha Credit Cooperative Society in Bidar.
Around Rs.67 lakh in these accounts has been frozen, according to investigation sources.
During a search at Kannale’s residence in Sanjaynagar, investigators reportedly recovered Rs.3 lakh in cash, which was subsequently seized.
The CID is also examining allegations that Gangwar used money allegedly provided by Kannale to purchase gold jewellery for a woman friend and a villa as a gift for his brother.
The investigation into the alleged KPSC recruitment irregularities is continuing, with the ED and CID examining the financial transactions, recruitment-related communications and the roles of other persons suspected to be involved.
