High Court has constituted a five-member SIT to investigate alleged irregularities in recruitment of 400 veterinary officers
Bengaluru, September 2026 : Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said the state government was examining legal options to shut down the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), following the Karnataka High Court’s decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the investigation had brought to light alleged illegal activities involving individuals associated with the commission. He questioned how such persons were appointed and who was operating the alleged network.
“KPSC should be shut down. There are many thieves there who are involved in illegal activities. Our police have caught them and gathered evidence. We have to find out who appointed them and who operated this,” Shivakumar said, according to reports.
The Chief Minister, however, said any decision concerning the future of the commission would have to follow the legally prescribed procedure. He compared the requirement to established constitutional procedures for taking action against high constitutional authorities and said the government was seeking legal advice before proceeding.
“We have to think legally,” Shivakumar said, adding that the government’s primary concern was protecting the future of students and job aspirants.
The Karnataka High Court on Monday ordered the formation of a five-member SIT headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar to conduct a fresh investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers. The court declined to transfer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and directed the SIT to complete its investigation within 100 days. Progress reports are to be submitted to the court every 30 days.
The court has directed the CID and other police authorities handling related cases to transfer their records, documents and electronic evidence to the SIT. The team has also been asked to coordinate with the Enforcement Directorate, which is conducting a parallel probe into the alleged financial transactions linked to the case.
The controversy centres on allegations of manipulation in the KPSC recruitment process, including suspected question-paper leaks, irregularities in examination records and alleged involvement of intermediaries and officials. The allegations are under investigation and have not been finally established.
The CID’s investigation has also examined an alleged money trail involving a middleman and officials. The Enforcement Directorate has separately alleged that a middleman transferred funds to former KPSC Controller of Examinations Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in connection with the suspected examination leak.
Shivakumar said the government could appoint officials and commission members with the intention of ensuring transparency, but accountability becomes difficult if those appointed are subsequently accused of wrongdoing.
The Chief Minister also cited his tenure as Power Minister, saying he had maintained strict vigilance while overseeing the recruitment of around 23,000 employees in the power sector.
Meanwhile, the government is examining how the KPSC can be dealt with within the existing legal and constitutional framework. The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid a wider debate over restructuring the commission and strengthening safeguards in public recruitment.
Earlier, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre had also suggested either restructuring the KPSC on the lines of the Union Public Service Commission or transferring recruitment functions to the Karnataka Examinations Authority.
