Kumaraswamy accuses Karnataka govt of shielding KPSC officer, seeks Kharge's resignation

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday accused the Karnataka government of allowing IAS officer Gyanendra Gangwar, the former Controller of Examinations of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), to "run away" amid an investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade-I). He demanded the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge over the matter.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy alleged that Gangwar disappeared following Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches and questioned the circumstances surrounding his absence. He also accused Kharge of protecting the officer despite the allegations against him.

"He disappeared as soon as the ED conducted searches. What is the connection between the disappearance and the Home Minister? That question needs to be answered," Kumaraswamy asked.

Kumaraswamy released investigation records, OMR sheets, and other documents at the press conference, alleging large-scale manipulation in the recruitment process conducted when Kharge was Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. He claimed that irregularities in the selection of 24 candidates had been established through an investigation, with forensic examination finding tampering of OMR answer sheets using carbon.

According to Kumaraswamy, a KPSC sub-committee examined the OMR sheets after discrepancies were noticed and issued notices to all 24 candidates. While 20 candidates appeared before the committee, four did not. The material was subsequently sent for forensic examination. He said the KPSC Secretary had also sought CCTV footage from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, and photographs and other material were sent to the forensic laboratory, which established that irregularities had occurred.

Despite this, Kumaraswamy alleged that appointment orders were issued to the 24 candidates in haste. He questioned how the provisional selection list was finalised, claiming that the then KPSC Secretary approved it without the consent of the Commission's Chairman and members.

Kumaraswamy also questioned Kharge's statements regarding Gangwar's whereabouts. He said Kharge had earlier stated that the officer had gone to his native place in Lucknow after obtaining permission as his father was unwell and would return within two days. However, on August 25, Kharge reportedly said he did not know where the officer was.

Kumaraswamy alleged that the KPSC recruitment controversy was not an isolated incident, referring to allegations concerning the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. He claimed that a person named Manjunath had alleged that ₹80 lakh was being demanded for each post, and an ED case was subsequently registered.

He also cited the High Court's direction to hand over the matter to the CBI and demanded that the State government entrust the investigation to the central agency. "If Mr. Kharge has any commitment to transparency and accountability, he should resign immediately," he said.

Kumaraswamy alleged that financial transactions were involved in the recruitment irregularities and claimed that the 24 candidates had been working for nearly a year despite the alleged manipulation of their OMR sheets. He said he would release more documents over the next three to four days.

In a separate reference, Kumaraswamy lashed out at Kharge, accusing him of doing nothing despite "repeatedly showing videos of Parappana Agrahara prison for weeks" and claiming that he would "clean up the Home Department." His remarks came amid reports that a mobile phone was allegedly found in the possession of former Hassan JD(S) MP and his nephew Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence for rape at the prison in Bengaluru. Questioning the functioning of the Home Department, Kumaraswamy alleged that attempts were being made to silence certain voices. "You cannot silence our voice," he said.