Pramesh S Jain
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Basavaraj Kannale,an alleged middleman from Bhalki in Bidar district,in connection with the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary officers recruitment scam.
The alleged role of Kannale is now coming under the CID scanner,with investigators looking into his purported journey from Bhalki to Delhi and his links with political leaders and government officials.
Kannale had reportedly come to Bengaluru as an aspirant to appear for KPSC examinations.
However,despite not clearing the examinations,he allegedly established contacts with political leaders from both the BJP and Congress and subsequently began working as a middleman,according to sources.
Investigators suspect that Kannale allegedly used photographs with political leaders to convince KPSC aspirants that he had influential connections and could help them secure government jobs.
He allegedly collected money from candidates on the promise of helping them get selected.
The CID is also probing his alleged links with IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar.
According to preliminary information,Kannale is suspected of having connected around 12 candidates with the officer.
Investigators are now verifying whether money was collected from these candidates and what role,if any, was played by the officer in the alleged recruitment irregularities.
As part of the investigation,CID officials raided Kannale’s house in Donagapura village in Bhalki taluk,Bidar district, and verified several documents and other materials found at the premises.
Investigators are also examining Kannale’s alleged accumulation of wealth.
Sources said he owns a house in Bengaluru,a large residential property in Bhalki town and allegedly purchased land worth crores of rupees in his native village.
The CID is expected to question Kannale in detail about his financial transactions,contacts with aspirants, political connections and his alleged dealings with officials.
The exact nature of his role and the extent of the network will become clearer as the investigation progresses.
