ED raids ex-KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa's Bengaluru home for 26 hours
Synopsis
The ED's 26-hour search at ex-KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa's Bengaluru home is the most visible sign yet of a sprawling money laundering probe — one that spans 21 locations across two states and involves allegations of ₹80 lakh-to-₹1 crore bribes per seat in a 400-post Veterinary Officers recruitment. That the Karnataka High Court simultaneously ordered his reinstatement makes this one of the more legally charged moments in the unfolding scam.
Key Takeaways
The ED searched the Dollar's Colony residence of ex- KPSC Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa in Bengaluru for over 26 hours starting 18 August .
Searches covered 21 locations across Karnataka and Ahmedabad , including the KPSC office, alleged middlemen, and Edutest Solutions Pvt.
Allegations include bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹1 crore per candidate for selection to 400 Veterinary Officer posts .
Complaints also cite question paper leakage , OMR sheet tampering, and favouritism toward relatives of KPSC officials.
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed Shivashankarappa's suspension and ordered reinstatement within seven days , even as the ED raid continued.
Petitioners have demanded the investigation be transferred from the CID to the CBI ; the High Court is reviewing the request.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, 19 August continued its search operation — stretching beyond 26 hours — at the Dollar's Colony residence of former Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa in Bengaluru, as part of a widening probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to the KPSC Veterinary Officers recruitment scam. Two ED officials reportedly remained at the premises overnight into Wednesday as the operation continued without interruption.
Scale of the Search Operation
The ED's Bengaluru Zonal Office launched coordinated searches across 21 locations on Tuesday, 18 August, invoking Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The premises covered include the KPSC office, the residence of KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, alleged middlemen, candidates selected for Veterinary Officer posts, and the office of Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd. — the firm responsible for digital evaluation of examination papers.
The searches spanned Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi in Karnataka, as well as Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Officials are examining documents and materials seized from these locations as part of the money laundering probe.
The Recruitment Scam at the Centre of the Probe
The searches are linked to multiple FIRs registered at Vidhana Soudha Police Station in Bengaluru, alleging serious irregularities in the selection process for 400 Veterinary Officer posts. The examination was held on 8 January, and the final selection list was published on 17 July — triggering immediate and widespread controversy.
The complainant in the case alleged that middlemen approached candidates demanding bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh per candidate in exchange for guaranteed selection. The complainant reportedly submitted audio recordings of the alleged middlemen to law enforcement authorities in support of the allegations. Further allegations include question paper leakage, tampering with OMR answer sheets, and the facilitation of relatives of KPSC officials in the selection list. Seats were reportedly being sold for as much as ₹1 crore through middlemen, according to complaints.
High Court Order and Political Fallout
In a significant legal development, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed the suspension order issued against Shivashankarappa and directed authorities to reinstate him within seven days. The court's order came even as the ED's search operation was underway at his residence — a notable contradiction that has drawn attention.
Following the controversy over the selection list, the KPSC placed the list on hold. The Karnataka government tasked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) with probing the matter, leading to FIRs against key figures and arrests of alleged middlemen. Some petitioners before the High Court have demanded that the investigation be transferred from the CID to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a demand the court is currently reviewing.
What Happens Next
ED officials have indicated that findings from the 21-location search will inform the next phase of the money laundering investigation. Further details on seizures and arrests, if any, are awaited. With the High Court monitoring the case and CBI transfer demands pending, the KPSC scam is set to remain a flashpoint in Karnataka's political and administrative landscape in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
By court order, be returned to his post within a week. That contradiction will test both the state government's response and the court's own oversight. The demand for a CBI transfer, if granted, would further wrest control from the Karnataka government, which has political stakes in how the probe unfolds.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ED raiding ex-KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa's residence?
The ED is probing alleged financial irregularities and money laundering linked to the KPSC's recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers, where candidates were allegedly charged bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹1 crore per seat through middlemen. The search at Shivashankarappa's Bengaluru home is part of a 21-location operation across Karnataka and Ahmedabad conducted under Section 17 of the PMLA.
What are the specific allegations in the KPSC Veterinary Officers scam?
Complainants allege that middlemen demanded bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh per candidate — and in some cases up to ₹1 crore — to guarantee selection to 400 Veterinary Officer posts. Additional allegations include question paper leakage, tampering with OMR answer sheets, and the inclusion of relatives of KPSC officials in the selection list published on 17 July.
What did the Karnataka High Court rule regarding Shivashankarappa?
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed the suspension order against KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar and directed authorities to reinstate him within seven days. The ruling came even as the ED's search operation was underway at his residence.
Which locations were covered in the ED's 21-location search?
The searches spanned Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichur, Karwar, Kalaburagi, and Belagavi in Karnataka, as well as Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Premises included the KPSC office, the homes of KPSC officials and alleged middlemen, selected candidates, and the office of Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Could the KPSC scam investigation be transferred to the CBI?
Some petitioners before the Karnataka High Court have demanded that the investigation be shifted from the state CID to the CBI, arguing for a more independent probe. The High Court is currently reviewing this demand, and a decision could significantly alter the direction of the case.
