Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has directed IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar to appear before the agency at its Bengaluru office on Tuesday morning for questioning in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment.
Following a nearly nine-hour search at Kumar’s Bengaluru residence on Monday, ED officials pasted a notice on the house directing him to appear before the agency’s office in the Ganganagar area of Bengaluru. The notice specifies the date and time for his appearance, officials confirmed.
The ED conducted the search as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers, in which candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to secure appointments.
Kumar was not present at his residence when the ED team arrived. He had reportedly left Bengaluru three days earlier and travelled to Uttar Pradesh. State Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that the officer travelled there as his father was unwell.
According to sources, Kumar left his residence carrying two large bags and also took his laptop, mobile phone and other electronic devices with him. Consequently, the ED team reportedly found limited material at the residence.
The officials conducted an extensive search of the premises, checking cupboards, walls and areas beneath the floor with scanners to look for documents or other material that may have been concealed.
A diary and some records were reportedly recovered during the search. The officials also examined available bank statements and documents related to private companies allegedly entrusted with responsibilities connected with government recruitment.
Sources, however, said that most electronic devices and important documents were not found at the residence. Apart from old clothes and furniture, the team reportedly found little material of significance.
The ED team arrived at the apartment complex in three vehicles accompanied by CRPF personnel. The entrance was initially locked, and security personnel reportedly refused to allow the officials inside, stating that they had not received instructions to do so.
After the ED team contacted Kumar, the security staff allowed them into the complex. As the officer’s residence was locked, a locksmith was called to open the door. The process was reportedly videographed as part of the search procedure.
Kumar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, had served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March. He was associated with conducting the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination and the recruitment process for veterinary officers.
The latest search comes three days after the ED searched the residence of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and other premises in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities.
The ED has conducted searches at multiple locations across Karnataka as part of its investigation into the alleged KPSC recruitment scam. The agency is examining documents, financial records and other material to establish the alleged flow of funds and identify those allegedly involved in the recruitment irregularities.
(IANS)
