The Karnataka High Court has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged irregularities in recruitments conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), including the selection of veterinary doctors and candidates for other government posts.
Justice M Nagaprasanna directed the State to constitute the SIT while declining a request to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Court said the investigation required urgency, particularly because prolonged proceedings could leave job aspirants facing uncertainty for years. It noted that delays could have serious consequences for candidates as age limits and other employment opportunities may work against them while recruitment remains under challenge.
The order came in a batch comprising three criminal petitions and two writ petitions.
Among the writ petitioners were a veterinary doctor and a Member of the Legislative Assembly, both of whom had sought a CBI probe into the recruitment process.
One of the petitions raised allegations concerning the selection of the KPSC Chairman’s daughters under Category 3B, despite the Chairman having a role in the recruitment process. The allegations relating to their eligibility and selection have been examined in the broader proceedings before the High Court.
The criminal petitions were filed by candidates who had figured in the final selection list but later faced criminal cases initiated following complaints by unsuccessful candidates. They approached the High Court seeking quashing of those proceedings and restoration of the final select list.
The High Court also took note of cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, arising from the alleged predicate offences. The Court directed the SIT to coordinate with the Enforcement Directorate during the investigation.
SIT to complete probe within 100 days
The SIT will be headed by Director General of Police Alok Kumar, IPS.
Its other members are:
- Divya Gopinath, IPS, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory
- Anup Shetty, Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Kushal Chouksay, IPS, Superintendent of Police
- Shama Mishra, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police
The Court has ordered the CID and jurisdictional police to transfer all material and evidence collected so far to the SIT within seven days. They have also been directed to stop further investigation into the matters covered by the SIT probe.
Government departments, investigating agencies, public authorities and officials have been instructed to provide the team with full cooperation, including technical assistance and personnel wherever required.
The investigation has been placed on a strict timetable. The SIT must submit its final report to the High Court within 100 days of commencing the probe and furnish progress reports every 30 days.
The Court will take up the petitions seeking quashing of the criminal cases after the SIT submits its final report.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 5, 2027.
