The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) scam investigation has moved towards stronger corruption charges, with the special investigation team seeking the state government’s approval to invoke the Prevention of Corruption Act against public servants accused in the alleged cash-for-jobs case.
The SIT has written to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, which will route the request through the chief secretary to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for approval, according to sources cited by the Times of India. The request would add the Prevention of Corruption Act to the existing criminal investigation into alleged irregularities in KPSC recruitment.
The Criminal Investigation Department is currently investigating the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, dishonestly inducing delivery of property, forgery, fraudulent acts and the use of forged documents. The Enforcement Directorate is separately examining the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
According to the report, three accused — suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and BV Geetha — are expected to face direct charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act because they are public servants. Basavaraj Kannale, described in the report as an alleged associate of the accused, is expected to face charges related to abetment.
Gangwar was serving as controller of KPSC examinations when the alleged scam took place. Chief Minister Shivakumar recently sanctioned permission to prosecute him. In that decision, the chief minister said the government would not tolerate corruption or protect those responsible for wrongdoing that undermined the future of young people and public confidence in a fair and transparent recruitment process.
A senior IPS officer cited by the newspaper said adding the Prevention of Corruption Act would strengthen the case. The proposed move now depends on the government’s sanction process, beginning with scrutiny by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and ending with the chief minister’s approval.
The investigation also saw a custodial development on Saturday, when the SIT took suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar into seven-day police custody. Sahukar had been lodged in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison before being taken to an undisclosed location for questioning, according to sources cited in the report.
The case has implications beyond the accused officials because KPSC examinations determine access to government employment. The investigation and prosecution process will therefore be closely watched by candidates and applicants seeking clarity on the integrity of recruitment procedures. The immediate next step is the state government’s decision on whether to permit the SIT to apply the Prevention of Corruption Act.
