The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids on Tuesday at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) office in Bengaluru and the residences of its suspended Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar and member Shanta Hosmani. This action forms part of a sweeping investigation into a money laundering case linked to a veterinary officers recruitment exam ‘scam’.
Officials confirmed that the agency targeted 21 locations across Karnataka and Gujarat, including the homes of alleged middlemen and the office of Edutest Solutions, the entity responsible for digital evaluations of exam papers. These searches reflect the agency’s focus on rooting out corruption within public recruitment processes.
This operation initiated following a series of FIRs registered by the Bengaluru Police at the Vidhan Soudha police station. Investigators uncovered claims of irregularities in the selection of veterinary officers, raising serious questions about the integrity of the recruitment process.
According to sources, the ED’s investigation revealed troubling allegations where middlemen demanded bribes ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh per candidate for ensuring selection. Victims had submitted audio recordings of these extortionist practices to the police, adding weight to the allegations.
The scope of the ED’s inquiry encompasses claims of potential paper leaks, manipulations of OMR answer sheets, and facilitation in the recruitment process for relatives of KPSC officials. The probing agency aims to connect the dots in this convoluted scandal, which has raised significant public concern.
Raids unfolded at multiple locations, including district branches in Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, and Belgaum, alongside entities located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The extensive nature of these searches reflects the severity with which the ED is approaching this case.
In recent months, allegations against recruitment boards have intensified, stirring public discourse about transparency within government hiring practices. The KPSC, tasked with filling critical vacancies across various state roles, faces scrutiny amidst these revelations, demanding accountability in its operations.
The crackdown on corrupt practices in public recruitment continues as governmental agencies step up their efforts to address systemic issues that undermine trust in public service appointments. Stakeholders await the outcome of this high-profile investigation, which could influence reforms in recruitment processes moving forward.
