The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) office on Tuesday, probing a significant money laundering case linked to a scam involving the hiring of veterinary officers. This investigation focuses on suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, and multiple other individuals implicated in alleged corrupt practices.<\/p>\n
The ED’s coordinated operation spanned over 21 locations, including residences and offices across Karnataka and in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. Significant sites included the KPSC’s Bengaluru headquarters and locations found to be linked to alleged middlemen.<\/p>\n
ED officials confirmed they acted after registering a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), responding to serious allegations regarding irregularities in the final selection processes for veterinary officers. This initiative followed multiple FIRs lodged by the Bengaluru police concerning the same issue.<\/p>\n
In the allegations, middlemen allegedly demanded substantial bribes ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 80 lakh per candidate to secure positions as veterinary officers. The situation escalated when complainants provided audio evidence of the bribe solicitations to the police, prompting further scrutiny.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the ED probe has broadened to include serious allegations of paper leaks and the tampering of OMR answer sheets. Investigators are also questioning the role of KPSC officials whose relatives may have benefitted from the alleged corrupt practices.<\/p>\n
The extensive searches spanned across strategic locations in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburgi, Belagavi, and Belgaum. With such an expansive range of investigations, the ED aims to unravel the entire network involved in this scam.<\/p>\n
As the investigation continues, public confidence in the KPSC’s integrity hangs in the balance. This scandal underscores pressing concerns about transparency and accountability in the recruitment processes of governmental institutions.<\/p>\n
Authorities expect more revelations as the ED’s probe delves deeper into the dubious practices affecting the recruitment of veterinary officers, a critical area impacting the state’s agricultural and veterinary services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Enforcement Directorate has initiated a major crackdown on corruption at the Karnataka Public Service Commission, targeting high-ranking officials in a veterinary officers hiring scam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6331,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6332","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n