KPSC recruitment case: CID arrests alleged key middleman from Delhi

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Karnataka police on Monday arrested Basavaraj Kannale, described as a key middleman in the alleged recruitment irregularities for veterinary officers in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). According to sources, Kannale was taken into custody in Delhi and later brought to Bengaluru.

Kannale is reported to be a local coordinator for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bhalki, Bidar district. He was appointed a member of the Syndicate of Tumkur University in August 2025, sources said. The arrest has added a political dimension to the case, with the ruling Congress and opposition BJP trading charges.

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has targeted Home Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged irregularities, while Congress leaders have noted that the KPSC chairman, who is under scrutiny, was appointed during the previous BJP government’s tenure.

The CID had earlier arrested Gnanendra Kumar Gangwar, a former IAS officer and Controller of Examinations at KPSC, on Sunday. Both Kannale and Gangwar were produced before a magistrate court in Bengaluru on Monday and remanded to 10 days in judicial custody.

Investigators suspect Kannale played a crucial role as a conduit between job aspirants and influential individuals. He is alleged to have helped candidates secure government posts for a price. The CID is also examining financial transactions and assets allegedly linked to Kannale, reportedly worth crores of rupees.

Following his arrest, the CID conducted searches at two properties linked to Kannale in Bhalki taluk — his residence in Donagapur village and another house in Lecturer Colony, Bhalki town. Officials are scrutinising documents and electronic devices recovered during the searches.

According to sources, Kannale had developed close contacts with several political leaders after returning to Bengaluru from Delhi, where he had undergone UPSC coaching. He is said to have leveraged these connections to facilitate approvals within the recruitment process.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the KPSC’s selection of veterinary officers, with multiple complaints filed over the past year. The CID, which is conducting a detailed probe, has not yet named any senior officials other than the former controller of examinations.

The alleged irregularities have raised concerns about transparency in state recruitment examinations. The KPSC is responsible for selecting candidates for various government departments, and the case has put the spotlight on the vetting process for exam officials and middlemen.

Political observers note that the case could become a flashpoint in the state, with both major parties attempting to gain political mileage. The CID has assured that the investigation will be conducted impartially and that all evidence will be examined. Further investigations are ongoing, and the agency is likely to question more individuals linked to the recruitment process, sources added.