ED arrests ex-KPSC chairman Sahukar, member Geetha in veterinary officer recruitment scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, October 6, arrested former Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar after raiding his home for the second time in connection with the KPSC scam. 

Shivashankarappa S Sahukar is being investigated for alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. Sahukar had been a KPSC member since 2019 and was appointed chairman in 2021. He was recently suspended after the allegations came to light. 

The CID is investigating the irregularities separately, while a High Court order concerning a separate Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

KPSC member BV Geetha, who was also raided the same day, was arrested as well. Arrest procedures for both were completed on Tuesday.

An ED team reached Sahukar's residence in Dollars Colony around noon. Sahukar was at home and was questioned while officials executed the search warrant. The agency had previously raided him on August 18. 

The KPSC, which fills vacancies in the state government, has been under scrutiny over the veterinary officers' exam held on January 8 and 9 this year.

IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, 41, who served as the commission's Controller of Examinations from early 2024 to March 2026, is alleged to have worked with Basavaraj Kannale to solicit and collect bribes from candidates seeking to pass the exam and secure jobs. Gangwar has been suspended by the Karnataka government.

Gangwar allegedly leaked the question paper along with answers to around 20 candidates, who paid between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 40 lakh each through Kannale. During the CID and ED investigations, Kannale, 36, allegedly told investigators that Gangwar received about Rs 1.30 crore of the Rs 1.52 crore collected from candidates. 

During custodial interrogation, Gangwar allegedly named Sahukar, Geetha and two other KPSC members, Shanta Hosmani and Elfreda D'Silva, saying they had approached him regarding certain candidates.  

Separately, LiveLaw reported that a Bengaluru court has granted an ex parte temporary injunction granted to Kannale restraining several media houses and social media platforms from publishing, telecasting or broadcasting unverified and sensationalised content. Kannale, who is Accused No. 6 in Crime No. 89/2026 registered at Vidhana Soudha Police Station, is also under investigation by the CID, the SIT and the ED. He is currently in judicial custody.