KPSC scam: Suspended chairman Shivashankarappa summoned by CID again
Synopsis
The Karnataka KPSC recruitment scam is widening fast — with a suspended chairman summoned for a second grilling, an IAS officer already arrested, over 10 candidates willing to turn approvers, and a High Court protection plea still pending. The CID probe, just eight days old, is already reshaping the political blame game between Congress and BJP.
Key Takeaways
The CID issued a second summons to suspended KPSC Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa on 3 September , directing him to appear Thursday or Friday.
Shivashankarappa was earlier questioned for nearly six to eight hours in the first round of interrogation.
IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar and alleged middleman and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale have been arrested in the case.
More than 10 candidates have reportedly come forward as prospective approvers, admitting alleged involvement in the irregularities.
Shivashankarappa has petitioned the Karnataka High Court for protection from arrest; the order is awaited.
Karnataka Minister N.
Cheluvarayaswamy questioned the BJP over Shivashankarappa's appointment and sought a response from Union Minister H.D.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday, 3 September issued a fresh notice to suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa, directing him to appear before the investigating officer for a second round of questioning in the alleged KPSC recruitment scam. The summons has drawn sharp political reactions, with Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy publicly questioning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over Shivashankarappa's original appointment to the post.
Second Summons, Higher Stakes
This marks the second time Shivashankarappa has been called in by the CID. During his earlier appearance, he was questioned for nearly six to eight hours. The fresh notice directs him to appear on Thursday or Friday, and investigators are expected to seek further clarification based on statements he provided in the first round of interrogation.
The latest summons comes in the immediate aftermath of two high-profile arrests — IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar and alleged middleman and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale. The CID has reportedly been probing the case for around eight days, and the arrests are said to have added significant momentum to the investigation.
Candidates Come Forward as Approvers
In a significant development, more than 10 candidates have reportedly approached the investigating agency, admitting to alleged involvement in the irregularities and expressing willingness to turn approvers in the case. Their statements are expected to open fresh leads for the CID as it maps the alleged nexus between officials, intermediaries, and candidates.
Shivashankarappa was among the first individuals questioned after the case was taken up for investigation. His renewed summons is seen as a bid by investigators to cross-verify earlier disclosures against new information gathered from the arrested accused and prospective approvers.
High Court Petition Pending
Separately, Shivashankarappa has moved the Karnataka High Court seeking protection from arrest. The court is yet to pronounce its order on his petition, with a verdict expected shortly. The timing of the fresh CID notice — issued while his petition remains sub judice — has lent additional significance to the development.
Congress Turns Political Heat on BJP
Reacting to the unfolding probe, Minister Cheluvarayaswamy on Thursday trained his sights on the BJP over the appointment. 'Shivashankarappa was appointed by the BJP. The BJP should answer now,' he said in Bengaluru. The minister argued that key constitutional positions demand individuals of proven credibility, and that the background and credentials of KPSC members and chairman must be carefully scrutinised before appointment.
Cheluvarayaswamy also questioned why Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had not spoken on the matter, and said both the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) should take responsibility for Shivashankarappa's alleged actions. He stressed that the investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference and that the government would cooperate fully with probes into the KPSC and NEET-related cases.
The CID's focus is now expected to broaden toward establishing the full chain of the alleged recruitment racket, including the roles of other individuals who may have facilitated the irregularities. With the High Court verdict on Shivashankarappa's protection plea imminent, the coming days are likely to be decisive for the probe.
Point of View
Middlemen, and candidates, with political fingerprints on the original appointment. Congress is right to ask who appointed Shivashankarappa, but the question of why vetting mechanisms failed cuts across party lines. With an IAS officer arrested and over a dozen candidates turning approver, the CID appears to be building a chain-of-custody case rather than stopping at the top. The real accountability test will be whether the probe reaches the political layer that reportedly enabled the appointments — or whether it stalls at the administrative tier, as has happened in past Karnataka recruitment controversies.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the CID summoned KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa again?
The CID has issued a second summons to suspended KPSC Chairman Sahukar Shivashankarappa to seek further clarification on statements he made during his first round of questioning, which lasted six to eight hours. Investigators want to cross-verify his earlier disclosures against new information gathered from recently arrested accused and prospective approvers.
Who has been arrested so far in the KPSC recruitment scam?
Two key accused have been arrested — IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar and alleged middleman and BJP leader Basavaraj Kannale. The CID has been probing the case for approximately eight days, and the arrests are said to have accelerated the investigation.
What is the status of Shivashankarappa's petition in the Karnataka High Court?
Shivashankarappa has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection from arrest. The court has not yet pronounced its order, and a verdict is expected shortly. The fresh CID summons was issued while this petition remains pending.
Why is Karnataka's Congress government targeting the BJP over the KPSC scam?
Karnataka Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy has publicly stated that Shivashankarappa was appointed to the KPSC chairmanship by the BJP, and has demanded that the party answer for the alleged irregularities. He also questioned why Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had not commented on the matter, and said both BJP and JD(S) leaders should take responsibility.
What role are the candidates playing in the KPSC scam investigation?
More than 10 candidates have reportedly come forward before the CID, admitting alleged involvement in the recruitment irregularities and expressing willingness to become approvers in the case. Their testimonies are expected to provide fresh leads and help investigators establish the alleged nexus between officials, intermediaries, and candidates.
