KPSC scam: ED conducts 9-hour search at IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar's Bengaluru home
Synopsis
The ED spent nearly nine hours searching the Bengaluru home of KPSC's former Controller of Examinations — only to find most devices and documents gone. With the officer reportedly untraceable after leaving for Uttar Pradesh days earlier, the KPSC bribery probe is escalating fast, and the missing evidence trail is now as significant as what was found.
Key Takeaways
The ED conducted a nine-hour search on 24 August at the Bengaluru residence of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar , former Controller of Examinations at the KPSC .
Candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure veterinary officer appointments.
Kumar was reportedly absent, having left Bengaluru three days earlier for Uttar Pradesh ; he is currently described as untraceable .
Sources say Kumar took his laptop, mobile phone, and electronic devices with him; ED found little material of significance at the residence.
A diary and some records were recovered; ED also examined bank statements and documents linked to private companies.
The search follows a similar ED action at the residence of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar three days earlier.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday, 24 August concluded a nearly nine-hour search at the Bengaluru residence of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment. Kumar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, had served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March and was associated with the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination and the recruitment of veterinary officers.
What the Search Revealed
The ED's action is linked to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers, where candidates were reportedly asked to pay bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure appointments. According to sources, the search team thoroughly examined the premises — including cupboards, walls, and areas beneath the floor — using scanners to locate hidden documents or material.
A diary and some records were reportedly recovered, and ED officials also examined available bank statements and documents relating to private companies allegedly connected to government recruitment processes. However, sources indicated that most electronic devices and significant documents were missing from the residence.
Officer Reportedly Absent and Untraceable
Kumar was not present when the ED team arrived, according to sources. He had reportedly left Bengaluru three days earlier and travelled to Uttar Pradesh. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the officer had gone there because his father was unwell. Sources further claimed that Kumar left his residence carrying two large bags, taking along his laptop, mobile phone, and other electronic devices — leaving behind little material of significance, apart from some old clothes and furniture. As of the time of reporting, the officer is described as currently untraceable.
How the Search Unfolded
The ED team arrived at the apartment complex in three vehicles, accompanied by CRPF personnel. Security staff at the entrance initially refused entry, saying they had not received instructions to allow officials inside. After the ED team contacted Kumar directly, the premises were opened. Since his residence itself was locked, a locksmith was called, and the entire process was reportedly videographed as part of standard search procedure.
At the conclusion of the search, ED officials reportedly pasted a notice at Kumar's residence directing him to appear before the agency for questioning.
Broader KPSC Probe
This action comes three days after the ED searched the residence of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and other locations tied to the same alleged irregularities. The agency has now searched multiple premises across Karnataka as part of its widening investigation, examining financial records, documents, and other material to trace the alleged flow of money and identify those involved in the recruitment scam. The KPSC case has drawn sustained scrutiny amid allegations that the recruitment process was systematically compromised for financial gain.
Point of View
A laptop, and all electronic devices days before a federal raid raises questions that go beyond individual culpability. If the KPSC's recruitment machinery was compromised at the level of the Controller of Examinations, the damage to public trust in Karnataka's civil services selection process is structural, not incidental. The ED's inability to recover key digital evidence at this stage could complicate prosecution timelines significantly. Karnataka's political establishment — which oversees KPSC's functioning — will face mounting pressure to explain how alleged bribe-for-appointment networks operated undetected across multiple recruitment cycles.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC recruitment scam?
The KPSC recruitment scam refers to alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission's recruitment of veterinary officers, where candidates were reportedly asked to pay bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh to secure appointments. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the alleged flow of money and those involved.
Who is IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar?
Gyanendra Kumar is a 2016-batch IAS officer who served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March. He was associated with the conduct of the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination and the veterinary officer recruitment process that is now under ED scrutiny.
What did the ED find during the search at Gyanendra Kumar's residence?
According to sources, the ED recovered a diary and some records, and examined bank statements and documents linked to private companies. However, most electronic devices and important documents were reportedly missing, as Kumar had allegedly taken his laptop, mobile phone, and other devices when he left Bengaluru days earlier.
Where is Gyanendra Kumar now?
Kumar had reportedly left Bengaluru three days before the search and travelled to Uttar Pradesh. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he went there because his father was unwell. As of the time of the search, he is described as untraceable, and the ED has issued a notice directing him to appear for questioning.
How wide is the ED's KPSC investigation?
The ED has searched multiple premises across Karnataka as part of its probe. The action at Kumar's residence came three days after searches at the home of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and other locations. The agency is examining financial records and documents to trace the alleged bribery network.
