KPSC paper leak exposes Congress' double standards, asks BJP's Sambit Patra
BJP leader Sambit Patra accuses Karnataka's Congress government of double standards regarding the KPSC veterinary officer recruitment paper leak.
In a scathing attack on the Karnataka government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra has accused the Congress-led administration of maintaining "double standards" regarding the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary officer recruitment paper leak.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Patra raised serious questions about why the state government chose to challenge a High Court order that had directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
The Alleged Recruitment Scam
The controversy revolves around the KPSC Veterinary Officer Recruitment examination held on January 8 and 9. According to Patra, the examination was intended for approximately 1,400 candidates vying for 400 veterinary officer positions. However, he alleged that the sanctity of the process was compromised when the question paper was leaked on January 7, just one day before the exams began.
The whistleblower, S Manjunath, reportedly brought the irregularities to light, triggering investigations by both the Karnataka CID and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Patra detailed a sophisticated scheme involving high-ranking officials and intermediaries.
A Trail of Money and Luxury
Patra's allegations paint a picture of deep-rooted corruption within the recruitment process:
- The Mastermind: It is alleged that the then KPSC Controller of Examinations, IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, leaked the paper to a middleman identified as Basavaraj Kannale.
- The Transactions: Kannale allegedly approached candidates, offering access to the leaked questions and answers in exchange for massive sums ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh.
- The Money Trail: Investigations have reportedly traced Rs 1.52 crore collected from 11 candidates, with Rs 1.30 crore of that amount allegedly transferred to Gangwar.
- The "Coaching" Resort: In a bizarre twist, Patra claimed that candidates who paid the bribes were taken to a resort-cum-hotel outside Bengaluru, where they were allegedly forced to memorise the leaked content before the test.
The BJP leader further noted that some transactions involved advance payments, blank cheques, and promissory notes to secure the fraudulent deal. He also mentioned the seizure of luxury items during the investigation, including a diamond necklace valued at Rs 22 lakh.
Legal Battles and Political Friction
The political tension has escalated following a Karnataka High Court order on September 21, which directed the constitution of a five-member SIT headed by DGP Alok Kumar to conduct a fresh probe within 100 days. The state government, however, moved the Supreme Court to challenge this, arguing that the existing CID investigation was sufficient.
The Supreme Court has since stayed the High Court's direction for the new SIT. Patra used this legal move to question the Congress leadership, asking why they are opposing an additional, more specialized investigation if they have nothing to hide.
"Why is the state government opposing an additional investigation when allegations involving the recruitment process are already under scrutiny?" Patra questioned, demanding full accountability for the failure of KPSC's internal safeguards.
As the investigation continues, 10 candidates have reportedly become approvers, agreeing to provide testimony to investigators regarding the illegal transactions and the mechanics of the leak.