CID Traces Money Trail In KPSC Recruitment Scam, Searches Bhalki Society

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has intensified its probe into the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment irregularities, uncovering monetary leads connecting two key suspects in custody, including an IAS officer, to funds routed through a cooperative society. As part of the ongoing probe, a CID team conducted spot mahajars at the KPSC office and the OMR strong room in Bengaluru.

Investigators suspect that an average of Rs 40 lakh was collected from each candidate to secure postings following the Veterinary Officers' Recruitment Exam. Acting on leads obtained from candidates who reportedly agreed to pay lakhs of rupees, a team of 10 CID officers, led by a deputy superintendent of police, raided and searched the Om Lakshmi Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamitha, a cooperative society situated in Lecture Colony, Bhalki in Bidar district on Wednesday.

One of the main suspects, Basavaraj Kannale, who is currently in CID custody alongside IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, hails from Bhalki. Gangwar served as the Controller of Examinations at the KPSC from February 2024 to March 2026 before being transferred as director of MSME in June this year.

During the search in Bhalki, CID officers examined documents at the cooperative society to track Kannale’s financial transactions. Investigators suspect that Kannale maintained multiple accounts in the names of his relatives to launder the proceeds of the crime, with Gangwar allegedly among the beneficiaries. Investigators are also scrutinising businesses owned by Kannale, including entities identified as the Bhagwat Group and AK Tours and Travels.

At least 29 candidates allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to secure postings. Doubts emerged after candidates with poor academic backgrounds secured unusually high scores, whereas several academic rank holders struggled to reach 350 marks in the recruitment test.

Among the candidates under investigation is Sooguresh Jaka, said to be a relative of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar. Jaka secured 456.75 marks despite having failed two degree examinations, which he later cleared through compartment tests with a low Cumulative Grade Point Average. Another candidate, Mohammed Sohail Nabhilal Bademgol, scored 411.75 marks after allegedly failing in five degree subjects.

Kannale is linked to the BJP, though photographs showing him with leaders from different political parties have also surfaced. The CID reportedly recovered hall tickets from Kannale’s premises, though sources did not confirm this. The commission continues to face scrutiny over the final selection process for the veterinary posts as investigators work to track the complete money trail.