Pramesh S Jain
The Enforcement Directorate (ED)on Tuesday conducted a second search at the residence of former Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman Shivashankarappa S.Sahukar in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers and detained him for questioning,sources said.
The ED also detained KPSC member,B.V.Geetha,who is suspected to have a role in the alleged recruitment racket,for further questioning and legal proceedings.
The latest action is significant as it follows the custodial interrogation of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar,a key accused in the case.
During questioning,Gangwar is understood to have provided investigators with information about the alleged role of several KPSC members and others in the recruitment process.
ED officials arrived at Sahukar’s residence in Dollars Colony around noon and questioned him while carrying out the search under a warrant.
Although sources said Sahukar was detained,the agency had not officially confirmed his arrest till late Tuesday evening.
If he is formally arrested,he is likely to be produced before a court on Wednesday.
This is the second ED search at Sahukar’s premises.The first searches were conducted on August 18.
Gangwar,who served as KPSC Controller of Examinations from February 2024 to March 2026 is alleged to have named Sahukar and KPSC members Shanta Hosmani,Elfreda D’Silva and B.V.Geetha during custodial interrogation.
Investigators are examining allegations that the accused had approached him in connection with candidates appearing for the recruitment examination.
The ED’s action is based on multiple FIRs registered by the Vidhana Soudha police in Bengaluru alleging serious irregularities in the final selection process for Veterinary Officers.
The CID is separately investigating the alleged recruitment irregularities.
Proceedings relating to the constitution of a separate SIT are also before the Supreme Court following a challenge to a Karnataka High Court order.
The case involves allegations that as many as 29 candidates paid lakhs of rupees to secure selection or postings after the Veterinary Officers’recruitment examination held in January this year.
Among those named in the allegations is Sooguresh Jaka,said to be a relative of Sahukar.
Investigators are examining allegations that Jaka secured 456.75 marks despite having failed two degree examinations.
He subsequently cleared the examinations through compartment examinations,though he allegedly had a low cumulative grade point average.
The ED has not yet officially disclosed details of the seizures or the material recovered during Tuesday’s searches.
Sources said the searches were based on prima facie evidence and statements recorded from suspects arrested in the case.
The investigation could widen further based on the information emerging from Gangwar’s custodial interrogation,with investigators examining the alleged roles of other KPSC officials, intermediaries and beneficiaries yet to be named in the case.
Separately,the Vidhana Soudha police had on July 10 registered an FIR against Suma S.Sahukar,the daughter of Shivashankarappa Sahukar,alleging submission of a false income certificate while applying for a government post under the 3B reservation category. Sahukar had earlier been questioned by the CID in connection with the recruitment probe.
The ED investigation is expected to focus on the alleged money trail,the role of KPSC officials and intermediaries, and the identities of candidates who may have benefited from the alleged irregularities.
