Pramesh S Jain
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Karnataka Police on Saturday arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in connection with the alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers, making him the first accused to be arrested in the KPSC recruitment scam.
Gangwar,who served as Controller of Examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) from February 2024 to March 2026,was taken into custody after two days of intensive questioning.
CID officials are likely to make several more arrests as the investigation progresses and the alleged roles of other officials,KPSC members and candidates are examined.
The IAS officer is scheduled to be produced before a magistrate on Sunday,following which the CID is expected to seek his custody for further interrogation.
Investigators have allegedly found prima facie evidence pointing to Gangwar’s role in the irregularities,including material relating to suspected manipulation of OMR sheets.
The CID is also probing allegations that certain candidates were provided training at hotels and resorts as part of the recruitment process.
The veterinary officer examination was held on January 8 and the final selection list was released on July 17.
Following allegations of malpractice, the CID sent 329 OMR sheets of candidates who appeared for the examination to the State Forensic Science Laboratory for examination.
Gangwar’s arrest follows days of heightened scrutiny after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in connection with the alleged KPSC scam.
He had subsequently appeared before the CID and was questioned extensively regarding his tenure as Controller of Examinations.
The CID has also questioned suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa.S.Sahukar and several officials in connection with the case.
Sources said the investigation is likely to expand further, with CID examining the possible involvement of other officials,KPSC members,candidates and intermediaries in the alleged recruitment fraud.
The CID team produced him before the magistrate at his house and sent to Judicial custody.
