Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams arrived at the Bengaluru residence of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar on Sunday, August 23, as part of an ongoing federal probe into alleged irregularities in a Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary officer recruitment, officials said.
Raid at apartment, officer absent
The ED contingent reached Mr Gangwar’s apartment in Bengaluru in three vehicles and was accompanied by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), according to officials. Security staff at the premises initially refused entry, saying they had received instructions not to admit anyone.
Officials spent nearly two hours attempting to gain access to the flat. The residence was reportedly locked and Mr Gangwar was not present; his mobile phone was said to be switched off. The ED subsequently called a locksmith and arranged for a neighbour to act as a witness while the door was opened, the officials added.
Context of the investigation
Mr Gangwar had served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC when the veterinary officer recruitment examination was conducted. The recruitment process has drawn the ED’s attention after allegations of large-scale irregularities and claims that candidates were asked to pay hefty sums for appointments.
Earlier searches in the case included premises linked to the former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and locations associated with veterinary officers, the agency has said. Investigators are probing claims that successful candidates were asked to pay between ₹70 lakh and ₹80 lakh to secure appointments.
Movement of the IAS officer
The ED action followed a brief period when Mr Gangwar was uncontactable. He was later traced to his native place in Uttar Pradesh after being out of touch for nearly two days, officials reported. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said Mr Gangwar had travelled to Uttar Pradesh to visit his ailing father and that his absence was related to that trip.
The timing of the ED visit to the Bengaluru flat, and the officer’s absence, prompted queries from investigating teams seeking access to documents and devices that may be relevant to the probe.
Investigative scope and procedural steps
The ED has been conducting searches and gathering evidence in connection with the alleged fraud in the KPSC recruitment. The agency’s teams are understood to be examining account transactions, communications and material that could establish the chain of payments and responsibility.
- Locations searched so far: Bengaluru apartment of Mr Gangwar; residence of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar; premises linked to veterinary officers.
- Allegation under probe: Candidates were allegedly asked to pay between ₹70–80 lakh for appointment.
- Security presence: CRPF personnel accompanied ED officials during the Bengaluru visit.
Administrative and public consequences
The matter has triggered political and administrative scrutiny in Karnataka because it concerns recruitment to government posts overseen by a constitutional body. The KPSC conducts examinations and selections for a wide range of state government services, and allegations of systemic irregularities could affect public confidence in recruitment processes.
At this stage, the ED is gathering evidence; the outcome of searches and any subsequent legal steps — including potential arrests, attachments or prosecution — will depend on documents and records recovered and their connection to money-laundering or criminal conspiracy provisions invoked by the agency.
What is known and what remains to be established
Officials have confirmed the ED’s presence at the Bengaluru flat and said prior searches had been conducted at other locations. Details about any material seized during the visit to Mr Gangwar’s apartment have not been disclosed publicly. The officer’s current location is reportedly in Uttar Pradesh for personal reasons, according to state government comment.
| Person / Place | Role / Relevance |
|---|---|
| Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar | IAS officer; Controller of Examinations at KPSC during the veterinary recruitment |
| Shivashankarappa Sahukar | Former KPSC chairman; premises were earlier searched by investigators |
| Veterinary officers' linked premises | Locations searched as part of probe into alleged payments and irregularities |
Further details are expected as the ED completes its searches and provides an update on evidence recovered. The case remains under active federal investigation, and authorities have indicated additional enquires will follow to ascertain the full extent of any alleged wrongdoing.
(Reporting from Bengaluru)
