Shivashankarappa Sahukar KPSC Scam: FIR, ED Probe and CID Investigation

Bengaluru: A major controversy surrounding the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has put former chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar under the spotlight.

The controversy centres on allegations of irregularities in government recruitment, particularly the selection process for 400 veterinary officer posts in Karnataka. Investigators are looking into claims of examination malpractice, manipulation of recruitment records, bribery and the possible involvement of middlemen.

The case has attracted attention from multiple investigating agencies and has also led to legal proceedings.

Importantly, the allegations against Sahukar and others have not been proven in court.

How the KPSC recruitment controversy began

The issue came to know during the recruitment process for 400 veterinary officer positions under the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department.

The recruitment examination was held in January 2026. Later, concerns were raised about the way the examination and selection process had been conducted.

Complaints alleged that confidential examination information may have been leaked and that there could have been manipulation of answer sheets and recruitment records.

These allegations eventually led to a criminal investigation.

Allegations of money for government jobs

One of the most serious aspects of the case is the allegation that candidates were asked to pay large amounts of money in exchange for government jobs.

Investigators are looking into claims that some candidates were approached through intermediaries and were allegedly asked to pay tens of lakhs of rupees for a favourable outcome in the recruitment process.

The exact role of the alleged intermediaries, where the money went and whether any officials were involved are among the questions being examined by investigators.

At this stage, these remain allegations and have not been established as facts by a court.

Questions surrounding Shivashankarappa Sahukar’s family

The controversy is not limited to the veterinary officer recruitment.

Questions were also raised about the participation of Sahukar’s daughters in KPSC recruitment processes while he was serving as chairman.

This led to concerns about a possible conflict of interest and whether proper procedures were followed.

Sahukar has maintained that he did not take part in the relevant decision concerning his daughter’s candidature.

The issue later became part of legal proceedings surrounding his position at the KPSC.

Suspension and legal battle

Amid the controversy, Sahukar faced suspension from his position as KPSC chairman.

The suspension itself later became a matter of legal challenge. The Karnataka High Court subsequently set aside the suspension order.

The court proceedings did not, by themselves, amount to a finding that all the allegations surrounding the recruitment controversy were either true or false. The underlying investigations continued separately.

ED enters the case

The controversy took another turn when the Enforcement Directorate began looking into the financial aspects of the alleged recruitment irregularities.

The agency conducted searches at several locations connected with people and organisations linked to the investigation.

The focus of the financial investigation is to determine whether money was collected illegally, how it may have moved between individuals and whether the alleged recruitment irregularities had a financial component.

CID questions Sahukar

The Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is also investigating the recruitment case.

Sahukar appeared before the CID in Bengaluru for questioning as investigators sought information about the alleged irregularities during his tenure.

Being questioned by an investigating agency does not mean that a person has been found guilty. Investigators must establish the allegations through evidence, and any criminal liability will ultimately be decided through the legal process.

What investigators are trying to find out

At the heart of the investigation are several important questions:

• Was confidential examination material leaked?
• Were answer sheets or recruitment results manipulated?
• Were candidates asked to pay money for government jobs?
• Were middlemen involved in the recruitment process?
• Did any officials knowingly assist or benefit from the alleged irregularities?
• Were proper procedures followed when candidates connected to KPSC officials participated in recruitment?

The answers to these questions will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation.

What happens next?

The KPSC recruitment controversy is still developing. Investigations by the CID and Enforcement Directorate, along with related court proceedings, could lead to further action.

For thousands of candidates who depend on government recruitment examinations, the controversy has raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness in the selection process.

For now, the case should be viewed as an ongoing investigation. Allegations, FIRs and questioning by investigating agencies are not the same as a conviction.

The final responsibility, if any, will be determined only after the investigation and judicial process are completed.