Pramesh S jain
The Karnataka High Court has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT),headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar,to investigate alleged irregularities in recruitment processes conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
Justice M.Nagaprasanna,while dictating the order, directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and jurisdictional police to hand over all evidence and case records relating to the matter to the newly constituted SIT.
The court also directed the State government to empower the SIT and provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities to enable it to commence and complete the investigation.
All departments,investigating agencies and public authorities concerned have been directed to extend cooperation to the team.
The SIT will comprise Alok Kumar,Divya Gopinath,Anoop Shetty,Kshama Mishra and Kushal Chowksey,according to the order.
The court has directed the SIT to submit a comprehensive investigation report within 100 days of commencement of the probe.It has also directed the team to submit progress reports every 30 days.
The order comes amid multiple investigations into alleged irregularities in KPSC recruitment, including allegations concerning the recruitment of veterinary officers and other government posts.The CID has already been investigating several cases linked to the allegations.
The High Court further directed that all connected criminal petitions seeking quashing of the cases would be considered after the SIT submits its investigation report.
The court has also directed the CID to hand over the relevant case details and material collected during its investigation to the SIT,paving the way for a consolidated probe into the allegations.
The latest court-monitored investigation follows a series of allegations concerning KPSC recruitment,including alleged question-paper leaks,manipulation of selection processes and other irregularities that are already under investigation by state agencies.
