The Enforcement Directorate has launched a massive crackdown on a recruitment scam within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), targeting 22 locations across Karnataka and Gujarat for money laundering.

  • ED conducted raids at 21 locations in Karnataka and one in Ahmedabad.
  • Allegations of bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh per candidate.
  • Suspended KPSC Chairman and digital evaluation agency 'Edutest Solutions' under scrutiny.
  • Investigations involve paper leaks and OMR sheet manipulation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday executed a series of coordinated searches across 21 locations in Karnataka and one in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This operation is part of a broader money laundering investigation into alleged systemic irregularities during the recruitment of Veterinary Officers by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Operating under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED's Bengaluru office targeted the KPSC headquarters, the residence of suspended Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, and various alleged middlemen. A critical target was the office of Edutest Solutions, the agency entrusted with the digital evaluation of examination papers, suggesting a breach in the technical integrity of the process.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this scandal transcends simple bribery; it represents a collapse of institutional trust. When the very agencies hired to ensure 'digital transparency' are implicated in tampering, it suggests a sophisticated network of corruption that bypasses traditional checks and balances. This case underscores the vulnerability of public sector recruitment to nepotism and high-level administrative capture.

The intersection of administrative power and third-party evaluation agencies creates a dangerous loophole for systemic corruption in public recruitment.

The probe was triggered by four separate FIRs filed in Bengaluru. According to the complaints, middlemen demanded exorbitant sums—between ₹70 lakh and ₹80 lakh—to guarantee selection. The evidence provided to law enforcement includes audio recordings of these transactions, providing a visceral look into the scale of the graft.

Beyond the monetary bribes, the ED is investigating the leakage of examination papers and the manipulation of OMR answer sheets. The primary objective is to trace the 'money trail' and identify how funds were laundered to reward those facilitating the illegal appointments of relatives of KPSC officials.

Historical context reveals that the KPSC has been under fire for several months. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot suspended Chairman Sahukar in July following allegations that he misused his position to ensure the selection of his own daughters in the recruitment process.

Did You Know?: The PMLA allows the ED to attach assets that are suspected to be 'proceeds of crime,' meaning the accused may lose their properties even before a final conviction in court.

Key Allegations in the KPSC Case

CategoryDetails of Alleged Irregularity
Financial ExtortionBribes of ₹70-80 Lakh per candidate
Technical FraudTampering with OMR and digital evaluation
NepotismPreferential selection of officials' relatives
Security BreachLeakage of confidential examination papers

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What triggered the ED's intervention in this case?
A: The ED intervened following four FIRs alleging bribery, paper leaks, and money laundering in the Veterinary Officer recruitment process.

Q2: Who is Shivashankarappa S Sahukar?
A: He is the suspended Chairman of the KPSC, accused of misconduct and favoring his daughters during the recruitment process.