Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), probing the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) irregularities, intensified the investigation to trace the money trail and found strong monetary lead…

Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), probing the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) irregularities, intensified the investigation to trace the money trail and found strong monetary leads linking the two key suspects currently in its custody, well-placed sources told DH.Pursuing the leads, including those from some of the candidates who reportedly agreed to pay lakhs of rupees to secure postings, as many as 10 CID officers, led by a deputy superintendent of police (DySP), searched the Om Lakshmi Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamitha, a cooperative society, in Lecture Colony, Bhalki in Bidar district on Wednesday.One of the key suspects, Basavaraj Kannale, who is in CID custody along with IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, is from Bhalki. It is suspected that an average of Rs 40 lakh was collected from each candidate and routed through this cooperative society, among other monetary instruments.KPSC row: Karnataka Governor’s office moves appeal challenging single bench order quashing Sahukar’s suspensionGangwar served as Controller of Examinations in the KPSC from February 2024 to March 2026 before being transferred as director, MSME, in June this year.The CID team scoured documents at the cooperative society and acquired details regarding Kannale’s monetary dealings and transactions. It is suspected that Kannale had multiple accounts in his relatives’ names that were used to launder the crime proceeds, with Gangwar among the beneficiaries.“We are pursuing strong leads that link both the suspects monetarily. At this stage, we can’t reveal more operative details,” sources said.CID investigations are also looking at businesses owned by Kannale, including entities the sources identified as the Bhagwat Group and AK Tours and Travels.Kannale is linked to the BJP even as photographs of him with leaders from different state parties emerged. Separately, another CID team conducted spot mahajars at the OMR strong room and the KPSC office in Bengaluru. CID also reportedly found hall tickets on Kannale’s premises. Sources, however, refused to confirm this.Among the 29 candidates who allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to secure the postings following the Veterinary Officers’ Recruitment Exam is Sooguresh Jaka, said to be a relative of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar.It is alleged that Jaka secured 456.75 marks, despite failing two degree examinations.He allegedly cleared them later through the compartment examinations but with a low Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).Another candidate, Mohammed Sohail Nabhilal Bademgol, who secured 411.75 marks, had allegedly failed in five degree subjects. It wasn’t immediately clear when he did so and whether he cleared the backlogs. Sources said this raised doubts, as many candidates, who were rank holders, struggled to secure 350 marks.KPSC, which conducts competitive exams for government jobs in Karnataka, is facing scrutiny over allegations of irregularities in the final selection process for the Veterinary Officers’ Recruitment Exam.

Source: Deccan Herald