Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and alleged middleman Basavaraj Kannale into custody from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
Both were earlier arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and were in judicial custody. The ED formally arrested them after questioning them in prison on Friday night, sources said, as it stepped up its investigation into suspected financial transactions linked to the recruitment case.
The CID is investigating allegations of question paper leakage and manipulation of OMR answer sheets in the veterinary officer recruitment examination conducted during the tenure of the then KPSC Controller of Examinations.
Investigators suspect that more than ₹12 crore may have been collected from candidates. The ED is now examining the alleged flow of funds, their recipients and how the money was subsequently used.
According to the CID probe, candidates allegedly paid money through Kannale, who is suspected of acting as an intermediary. Investigators are also examining documents concerning the alleged use of part of the funds for various expenses, including the purchase of gold jewellery.
Meanwhile, the CID is continuing its investigation involving KPSC member Shanta Hosamani, who appeared before investigators on September 17.
He was questioned over allegations concerning contact with candidates who were successful in the recruitment examination.
The CID and ED have already conducted searches at multiple locations as part of the probe. Investigators are examining the alleged network of intermediaries, the source and movement of funds and the suspected utilisation of money linked to the recruitment irregularities.
