ED summons IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar in KPSC recruitment scam probe
Synopsis
A 2016-batch IAS officer who served as KPSC's Controller of Examinations has been summoned by the ED after a nine-hour search of his Bengaluru home turned up limited material — he had reportedly left for Uttar Pradesh days earlier, taking his laptop and electronic devices with him. With bribes of up to ₹80 lakh allegedly demanded per appointment, the KPSC recruitment scam is shaping into one of Karnataka's most serious public-service corruption probes.
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate summoned IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar to its Bengaluru office for questioning on Tuesday, 26 August .
A nine-hour search at Kumar's Bengaluru residence on 24 August yielded limited material; most electronic devices and key documents were not found.
Kumar, a 2016-batch IAS officer , served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March .
Candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure veterinary officer appointments.
The ED had previously searched the residence of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and multiple other premises in Karnataka.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said Kumar had travelled to Uttar Pradesh because his father was unwell.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar to appear before its Bengaluru office on Tuesday morning for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment. The summons followed a nearly nine-hour search at Kumar's Bengaluru residence on Monday, 24 August, as part of the agency's widening probe into a bribery-linked recruitment scam.
Search at Residence and What Was Found
ED officials arrived at Kumar's apartment complex in three vehicles, accompanied by CRPF personnel, on Monday. The building's entrance was initially locked, and security staff reportedly refused entry, stating they had received no prior instructions. After the ED team contacted Kumar directly, security personnel permitted access.
Since the officer's flat was locked, a locksmith was summoned to open the door — a process that was reportedly videographed as part of standard search procedure. Officials conducted an extensive sweep of the premises, using scanners to check cupboards, walls, and areas beneath the floor for concealed documents or material.
According to reports, investigators recovered a diary and some records during the search, along with available bank statements and documents linked to private companies allegedly associated with government recruitment processes. However, most electronic devices and critical documents were not found at the premises. Sources indicated that apart from old clothes and furniture, the team found little material of significance.
Why Kumar Was Not Present
Kumar was not at his residence when the ED team arrived. He had reportedly left Bengaluru three days earlier, travelling to Uttar Pradesh. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated that the officer had made the trip because his father was unwell.
According to sources, Kumar left his home carrying two large bags and took his laptop, mobile phone, and other electronic devices with him — which officials say explains the limited material found at the residence.
The KPSC Recruitment Scam: Background
The ED's investigation centres on alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers through the KPSC, in which candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure appointments. The agency is examining financial records, documents, and other material to trace the alleged flow of funds and identify those involved.
Kumar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March. He was associated with conducting both the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination and the veterinary officer recruitment process.
The search at Kumar's residence came three days after the ED searched the home of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and several other premises in connection with the same investigation. The agency has now conducted searches at multiple locations across Karnataka as part of the probe.
What Happens Next
The ED's notice, pasted on Kumar's residence, directs him to appear before the agency's office in the Ganganagar area of Bengaluru on Tuesday. Investigators are expected to question him about his role in the recruitment process and the alleged financial transactions linked to the scam. The probe is ongoing, with the agency continuing to examine documents and financial records recovered from various locations.
Point of View
Or does it signal awareness of the impending search? The agency's decision to paste a summons notice rather than immediately detain him suggests it is still building its evidentiary case. More broadly, the KPSC scam — with alleged bribes as high as ₹80 lakh per appointment — points to a systemic failure in Karnataka's public recruitment architecture that goes well beyond one officer. The probe's reach, now spanning multiple premises and a former KPSC chairman, indicates investigators believe the alleged corruption network is wide. Whether the ED can establish a documented money trail will determine whether this case results in prosecutable charges or stalls at the search-and-summons stage.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ED summoned IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar?
The ED has summoned Gyanendra Kumar for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment, specifically the recruitment of veterinary officers. Candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure appointments, and Kumar served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March.
What did the ED find during the search of Kumar's residence?
Investigators recovered a diary, some records, bank statements, and documents linked to private companies allegedly associated with government recruitment. However, most electronic devices and critical documents were not at the premises, as Kumar had reportedly taken his laptop, mobile phone, and other devices when he left Bengaluru three days before the search.
Where was Gyanendra Kumar during the ED search?
Kumar was not present at his Bengaluru residence when the ED arrived. He had reportedly travelled to Uttar Pradesh three days earlier. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge stated that Kumar had made the trip because his father was unwell.
Who else has the ED searched in the KPSC recruitment case?
Three days before the search at Kumar's residence, the ED had searched the home of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and several other premises in Karnataka. The agency has conducted searches at multiple locations across the state as part of its investigation.
What is the KPSC recruitment scam about?
The KPSC recruitment scam involves alleged irregularities in the selection of veterinary officers through the Karnataka Public Service Commission. According to investigators, candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure appointments. The ED is examining financial records and documents to trace the alleged flow of funds.
