KAS recruitment bribery: FIR names KPSC member Shantha Hosamani
The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has come under renewed scrutiny after the Vidhana Soudha police in Bengaluru registered a First Information Report (FIR) over an alleged illegal gratification linked to the recruitment of a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer. The case was filed on August 7 under Section 10 of the Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023, following a complaint that money was offered or paid to secure a KAS post.
The KAS is a key state civil services cadre, and its recruitment process is conducted by the KPSC. The Act under which the FIR was filed specifically targets corrupt practices in public examinations. Section 10 prescribes penalties for offering, giving, or accepting bribes in connection with such examinations, reflecting a legal framework aimed at ensuring transparency in the selection of government officers.
The complaint was lodged by Kanthakumar R., president of the All Karnataka State Students Association (AKSSA), Bengaluru. According to the complaint, Kanthakumar stated that he had received information that one Mamitha, a resident of RT Nagar, Kalaburagi, had allegedly paid or agreed to pay an illegal gratification in connection with the KAS recruitment. Mamitha had appeared for the interview and was awaiting the results, the complaint said.
The complainant also named Shantha Hosamani, a member of the KPSC, alleging that she was connected with the suspected transaction. Following the complaint, the Vidhana Soudha police conducted a preliminary inquiry and obtained relevant documents and records from the KPSC as part of the verification process. The preliminary inquiry reportedly found a prima facie cognisable offence, leading to the registration of the FIR.
The complainant has sought a detailed investigation into the alleged transaction, including verification of the identities and addresses of the persons named, examination of bank accounts and financial transactions, and collection of electronic evidence such as call detail records, WhatsApp messages and emails. The police are also expected to record statements from the persons concerned and witnesses to ascertain whether any money actually changed hands in connection with the KAS recruitment.
The investigation will now focus on establishing the nature of the alleged transaction, the role of the named individuals, and whether any middlemen or networks were involved. The latest case adds to the mounting scrutiny surrounding the KPSC, which is already facing two FIRs over other alleged irregularities. In addition, the state government has constituted an inquiry committee to probe complaints against the Commission’s chairman and members, including allegations of corruption and procedural lapses.
As with any criminal case, the allegations against the named persons remain unproven until the investigation concludes and a court determines the facts. The police have indicated that the probe will be conducted in a thorough and impartial manner, adhering to due process. The development underscores lingering concerns about the integrity of public recruitment mechanisms in the state, and the need for robust oversight to ensure fair and merit-based selection of candidates.
