Veterinary Posts Sold in Karnataka, Both Congress and CJP Silent
Introductory note
The recruitment systems governing government jobs in several departments appear to be in urgent need of an overhaul. Allegations of examination malpractice, question-paper leaks and manipulation of recruitment processes have emerged in different parts of the country, raising questions about the integrity of systems that determine the careers of thousands of young aspirants.
Karnataka is now facing questions over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). What makes the episode particularly significant is the nature of the allegations: investigators have reportedly uncovered not merely a leak of examination material, but an alleged network involving candidates, intermediaries and officials.
Yet, despite the seriousness of the allegations, the political response has been muted. The Congress, which has taken an active political position on recruitment irregularities and student protests elsewhere, is in power in Karnataka. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which was in arms against the leak of NEET examinations, has also remained largely silent on the issue.
Analysis/ analytical report
The Karnataka case centres on the KPSC examination conducted for Veterinary Officer posts, along with allegations relating to other state recruitment processes.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which investigated the case, is reported to have traced links between candidates, intermediaries and officials associated with the recruitment process. Those named in connection with the investigation include suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, former KPSC Controller of Examinations Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, and intermediary Basavaraj Kannale.
No politician has, so far, been identified as an accused or responsible in the investigation.
The case came to the authorities’ attention after Dr. S. Manjunath, one of the candidates, lodged a complaint alleging malpractice and leakage of examination material.
The investigation subsequently uncovered financial transactions amounting to about Rs. 92 lakh, according to reports. Investigators questioned around 40 candidates and identified 29 people whose names were reportedly included in the FIR in connection with the alleged recruitment network.
According to the investigation, intermediaries allegedly approached candidates who had applied for government posts and offered to facilitate their selection in exchange for money. Reports have named several candidates who were allegedly contacted through intermediaries. One intermediary, identified as Pawan, is reported to have contacted Siddharth, Raj Mohammed, Basavaraj, Mahendra and Nirajan through Kannale. Another intermediary, Maruthi, reportedly contacted Mohammad Sohel.
Investigators also identified deposits totalling about Rs. 92 lakh in two banks—Om Lakshmi Souharda Cooperative Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank—which were allegedly connected to the transactions. The accounts were reportedly frozen during the investigation.
More than a question-paper leak?
The allegations become more serious when one looks beyond the conventional idea of a question-paper leak.
According to the investigation, candidates were allegedly taken to an isolated location and provided with questions in printed form, allowing them to practice the answers before the examination.
The location reportedly used for this purpose was an apartment in Devanahalli. Investigators allegedly traced a connection between the apartment and Kamalapati Gangwar, the brother of former KPSC Controller of Examinations Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar. The key to the apartment was reportedly recovered from the residence of Kannale.
This is an organised process in which selected candidates were allegedly identified in advance and given access to examination material under controlled conditions.
The Karnataka government had announced the recruitment in 2024, while the Veterinary Officer examination was conducted on January 9 and 10, 2026.
Where is the political accountability?
The investigation has already resulted in action against senior officials. Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar was suspended, while action was also reported against Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar.
The Congress government has maintained that action was taken against officials found to be involved. It has also pointed to the political background of the suspended KPSC chairman, with allegations that Shivashankarappa was a BJP nominee who was elevated to the chairmanship of the commission.
The bigger question is how did an alleged recruitment network operate within or around a constitutional recruitment body without being detected earlier?
The issue is bigger than the fate of individual officials or candidates. Government recruitment examinations are based on the assumption that every candidate competes on equal terms. When allegations emerge that some candidates may have received examination material in advance or paid intermediaries to secure appointments, the credibility of the entire recruitment process comes under scrutiny.
The Karnataka episode therefore raises questions about institutional safeguards, accountability and the need for independent mechanisms to prevent manipulation of public recruitment.
For political parties, the issue also presents a test of consistency. Opposition Congress party frequently demand accountability when recruitment irregularities occur under governments of other parties. The same standard of scrutiny is expected when allegations emerge in a state governed by their own party.
For thousands of government-job aspirants, the stakes are not merely an examination result. Months and sometimes years of preparation, financial expenditure and career plans depend on the credibility of the recruitment system.
Any failure of that system therefore affects far more than a single examination. It affects public trust itself.
Media at a glance
KPSC veterinary officers’ recruitment scam: CID probe reveals money trail, question paper-leak network in Karnataka.
What BJP, Congress ignored in Karnataka job scams: Bribes, withholding of marks, leaked papers
Karnataka PSC puts on hold Vet selection list
Social media posts
News 18
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By numbers
| Date/period | |
| 2024 | KPSC recruitment process for 400 veterinary-doctor posts was initiated. |
| Jan. 8–9, 2026 | Veterinary recruitment examination was conducted. About 1,400 aspirants appeared. |
| July 17, 2026 | KPSC published the final selection list for the 400 posts. |
| July 24, 2026 | FIR was filed following complaints by unsuccessful candidate Dr S. Manjunath and others. The complaint alleged irregularities involving 29 candidates whose marks were unusually high. (The Indian Express) |
| July 27 | KPSC put the selection list on hold and ordered an internal inquiry. Allegations included claims that seats had been sold for very large sums. (The Indian Express) |
| Aug. 29 | CID arrested then KPSC examination controller IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar. (The Indian Express) |
| Aug. 30 | Middleman Basavaraj Kannale was arrested. Investigators alleged that selected candidates had received leaked papers and coaching before the examination. (The Indian Express) |
| Sept. 2026 | CID investigation reported that 29 candidates were allegedly offered leaked papers, while 11 candidates were identified as having allegedly paid ₹35 lakh–₹80 lakh each. Another report identified 12 aspirants who had allegedly made payments. The investigation remains ongoing. (The Indian Express) |
| Sept. 18–22 | ED entered the financial investigation. It alleged that the middleman paid ₹1.3 crore and purchased jewellery to facilitate the alleged leak. These are investigation allegations, not final judicial findings. (The Indian Express). |
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