Karnataka govt to challenge HC's KPSC SIT order in Supreme Court
Synopsis
Karnataka is heading to the Supreme Court to block a High Court order that hand-picked officers for an SIT probing KPSC recruitment fraud — even as the BJP asks what the government fears from a court-monitored investigation. With the probe's scope potentially widening to KAS and AEE recruitments, the legal battle could define accountability in Karnataka's public hiring for years.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka government will file an SLP in the Supreme Court against the High Court's 21 September order on the KPSC SIT .
The HC constituted a five-member SIT led by IPS officer Alok Kumar to probe Veterinary Officer recruitment irregularities within 100 days .
Shivakumar called the court's nomination of specific officers judicial overreach ; the state says the CID probe is 80% complete .
The SIT's mandate may extend to KAS and AEE recruitment exams conducted under former KPSC Controller Gyanendra Kumar .
Ashoka alleged the government is seeking to shield influential political figures from scrutiny.
Allegations include question-paper leakage , payments for selection, middlemen involvement, and manipulation of exam records — all subject to investigation.
The Karnataka government has decided to move the Supreme Court against a High Court order directing the formation of a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Veterinary Officer recruitment. The state plans to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging the court's 21 September order, which constituted a five-member SIT headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar. The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has questioned what the ruling side is seeking to protect.
What the High Court Ordered
The Karnataka High Court on 21 September directed the formation of a five-member SIT, with specific officers handpicked by the court, to conduct a fresh probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. The SIT has been asked to submit progress reports every 30 days and complete the investigation within 100 days. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which was previously handling the case, has been directed to hand over all relevant documents and investigative material to the newly constituted team.
The High Court's order is also expected to widen the scope of scrutiny to include alleged irregularities in other KPSC examinations — including the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) and Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) recruitment — conducted during the tenure of Gyanendra Kumar as KPSC Controller. This broader mandate could bring several recruitment processes conducted over the past three to four years under examination.
Government's Position: Judicial Overreach Claim
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the government did not object to an SIT probe in principle but took issue with the court directing the appointment of specific officers. 'We have no objection to the formation of an SIT, but directing the government to appoint specific officers sends the wrong message,' Shivakumar said.
The state government, after consulting legal experts, has formally accused the court of judicial overreach in nominating individual officers. It also questioned the need for a fresh investigation, pointing out that the CID probe is already around 80 per cent complete. Officials noted that arrests have been made, evidence and documents collected, money seized, and technical evidence including CCTV footage examined — suggesting the existing investigation was well advanced before the High Court intervened.
BJP Questions the Challenge
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka of the BJP sharply questioned the government's decision to approach the Supreme Court. 'Why is the government so afraid of the SIT appointed by the High Court? Who are you appealing to the Supreme Court to protect?' Ashoka said in a statement.
Ashoka alleged that the government was attempting to suppress the truth about the KPSC Veterinary Officer recruitment case. He contended that a court-monitored investigation could surface the alleged involvement of influential political leaders, ministers, and middlemen in the recruitment process — claims the government has not addressed directly. The BJP leader also underscored the impact on job aspirants and called for an independent probe into the matter.
What the Allegations Involve
The allegations at the centre of the case include claims of question-paper leakage, payments made for selection, involvement of middlemen, and manipulation of examination records. These allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established as criminal guilt against all persons alleged to be involved, according to reports. The case has drawn attention beyond the veterinary recruitment, given the possibility that the SIT's mandate could extend to other KPSC processes.
What Happens Next
The government is expected to file the SLP before the Supreme Court shortly, seeking a stay or modification of the High Court's order. The outcome will determine whether the court-constituted SIT proceeds with its mandate or whether the CID resumes control of the probe. With the 100-day investigation deadline now in the picture, the Supreme Court's response will be closely watched by candidates who appeared in the affected recruitment processes.
Point of View
But deploying it to stall a probe that is already 80 per cent complete signals that the stakes go beyond procedural propriety. If the SIT's expanded scope touches KAS and AEE exams, the fallout could implicate a wider network than the current case suggests. The Supreme Court's response will reveal whether the High Court overstepped or whether the state is shielding something larger.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Karnataka government challenging the High Court's KPSC SIT order?
The Karnataka government objects to the High Court nominating specific officers for the SIT, calling it judicial overreach. It also argues that the CID investigation is already around 80 per cent complete and a fresh probe is unnecessary.
What did the Karnataka High Court order regarding the KPSC case?
The High Court on 21 September ordered a fresh investigation by a five-member SIT headed by IPS officer Alok Kumar into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. The SIT must submit progress reports every 30 days and complete the probe within 100 days.
What are the allegations in the KPSC Veterinary Officer recruitment case?
The allegations include question-paper leakage, payments made for selection, involvement of middlemen, and manipulation of examination records. These remain subject to investigation and have not been established as criminal guilt against all persons alleged to be involved.
How has the BJP responded to the government's decision?
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka of the BJP questioned why the government feared a court-monitored SIT and alleged it was attempting to prevent the truth from emerging. He urged the government to cooperate with the SIT rather than challenge its constitution.
Could the KPSC probe expand beyond Veterinary Officer recruitment?
Yes. The High Court's order is expected to cover alleged irregularities in other KPSC examinations, including KAS and AEE recruitments, conducted during the tenure of former KPSC Controller Gyanendra Kumar, potentially spanning three to four years of recruitment processes.
