Karnataka HC orders SIT probe into KPSC veterinary officers scam, 100-day deadline
Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has done what politicians have debated for weeks — it has pulled the KPSC veterinary officers scam out of bureaucratic limbo and handed it to a court-supervised SIT with a hard 100-day deadline. With a jailed IAS officer, an alleged kingpin, bribe demands of up to ₹80 lakh per post, and the ED already in the picture, the investigation's outcome could reshape recruitment accountability in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka High Court on 21 September 2026 ordered an SIT , headed by IPS officer Alok Kumar , to probe the KPSC veterinary officers recruitment scam .
The SIT has been given a 100-day deadline to submit its final report, with progress reports due every 30 days .
The SIT comprises officers Divya Gopinath , Anoop Shetty , Kushal Choukse , and Kshama Mishra , alongside team head Alok Kumar.
Audio recordings allegedly captured middlemen demanding bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh per veterinary officer post; more than 50 candidates had filed complaints.
IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar (former KPSC exam controller) and alleged kingpin Basavaraj Kannale are in custody and being questioned by the ED .
All petitions seeking to quash cases in the matter are stayed until the SIT submits its report.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday, 21 September 2026, ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged recruitment scam involving veterinary officers conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). The SIT will be headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar and has been directed to complete its investigation and submit a final report within 100 days.
Court's Key Directives
A High Court bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued several firm instructions alongside the SIT formation order. The SIT must file a progress report every 30 days, and the court made clear that 'all connected petitions seeking to quash the cases will be taken up only after the SIT submits its report.'
The state government has been directed to accord the SIT police station status and issue a formal notification at the earliest. The court also instructed that no obstruction should be caused to the investigation, and that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) hand over all case-related records to the SIT within one week.
SIT Composition and Mandate
Alongside Alok Kumar, the SIT comprises senior IPS officers Divya Gopinath, Anoop Shetty, Kushal Choukse, and Kshama Mishra. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is already probing aspects of the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has been directed to extend full cooperation to the SIT.
How the Scam Came to Light
The alleged scam surfaced shortly after the results of the KPSC veterinary officers' recruitment examination were declared, when more than 50 candidates lodged complaints at the Vidhana Soudha police station in Bengaluru. The matter escalated after audio recordings emerged in which alleged middlemen were heard demanding bribes ranging from ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh per veterinary officer post.
The state government subsequently handed the investigation to the CID, given the gravity of the allegations. The ED joined the probe under PMLA. Several individuals have already been questioned, including former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar. IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, who served as the KPSC examination controller, and Basavaraj Kannale, identified as an alleged kingpin and middleman, have both been arrested and are currently being grilled by the ED.
Political Dimensions
The case has acquired a sharp political edge. Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has repeatedly targeted Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the recruitment scam. The petition before the High Court was filed by MLA Basanagouda Patil and activist Manjunath, who had originally sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) rather than a state-level SIT.
The court's refusal to hand the matter to the CBI — while still imposing a firm deadline and mandating ED cooperation — signals judicial confidence in a supervised state mechanism, even as political pressure for a central probe continues.
What Happens Next
With the SIT now formally constituted and its clock ticking, the next 30 days will be critical as investigators consolidate records from the CID and begin structured questioning. Petitions seeking to quash cases in the matter are effectively on hold until the SIT's final report lands before the court — a safeguard that prevents accused parties from seeking premature relief.
Point of View
The SIT's independence from state executive pressure will be watched as closely as its investigative pace.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the KPSC veterinary officers recruitment scam?
The KPSC veterinary officers scam refers to alleged large-scale corruption in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission. More than 50 candidates filed complaints after results were declared, and audio recordings surfaced in which alleged middlemen were heard demanding bribes of ₹70 lakh to ₹80 lakh per post.
What has the Karnataka High Court ordered in the KPSC scam?
The Karnataka High Court on 21 September 2026 ordered the formation of an SIT headed by IPS officer Alok Kumar to investigate the scam, with a 100-day deadline for the final report and progress reports due every 30 days. The court also directed the CID to hand over all records to the SIT within one week and instructed the ED to cooperate fully.
Who has been arrested in connection with the KPSC scam?
IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, who served as the KPSC examination controller, and Basavaraj Kannale, identified as an alleged kingpin and middleman, have both been arrested. Former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and other candidates have also been questioned by investigators.
Why did petitioners want a CBI probe instead of an SIT?
MLA Basanagouda Patil and activist Manjunath filed the petition seeking a CBI inquiry, arguing that a central agency would be more insulated from political pressure than a state-level SIT. The High Court did not accede to the CBI demand but imposed firm deadlines and judicial oversight on the SIT instead.
What is the political significance of the KPSC veterinary scam?
The case has become a flashpoint in Karnataka politics, with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy repeatedly targeting Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged scam. The involvement of a jailed IAS officer and an alleged political middleman has added pressure on the state government to demonstrate accountability.
