ED raids KPSC, 20+ premises in vet recruitment case

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided 21 premises across Karnataka and Ahmedabad in connection with alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers by the Karnataka Public Service Commission. The searches included the KPSC office in Bengaluru, the residence of suspended Chairperson Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, and offices of Edutest Solutions, the agency for digital evaluation.

The ED action follows four FIRs registered at Vidhana Soudha police station in Bengaluru, with the probe later handed over to the state CID. According to the complaints, alleged middlemen demanded Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh per candidate to ensure selection. The allegations include question paper leakage, tampering with OMR sheets, and manipulation of the evaluation process.

The ED is examining the money trail under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The search covered locations in Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Ahmedabad. More details are awaited as the investigation continues.