Karnataka Cabinet okays SIT to probe PSI recruitment scam

“As per the committee report, a total of 113 people — including government servants and middlemen — are involved in this. Some people did not comply with the summons or submit information with the committee,” added the revenue minister.

He continued: “They have given statements in public platforms, but not before the committee. The committee does not have the power to forcibly summon such people.”

He then announced: “Hence, in a bid to ascertain information from such people and on the necessity of further investigation, the committee has recommended the setting up of an SIT.”

On the why government considered setting up the SIT, he pointed out: “The CID has also registered 17 cases in connection with the scam and are probing them. Among the 113 accused, private parties are also involved. Hence, the cabinet thought SIT was ideal to look into the scam.”

The minister added: “The government cannot neglect the recommendations of the committee as well. If we don’t honour the recommendations of the retired justice, it will be wrong from our end. The committee has stressed the need for further investigation. Hence, we have decided to set up the SIT.”

Related: KCOCA invoked against 12, including PSI-recruitment-scam kingpin

The PSI recruitment scam

The examination for the recruitment of 545 PSIs was held in October 2021. The results were announced in January 2022 and the list of 545 of the 54,287 candidates who cleared the exams was put out.

The exams were carried out at 92 centres in Karnataka.

However, irregularities came to the fore when a social media post revealed that one Veeresh Chandrashekar, a candidate from Kalaburagi who had ranked seventh, had been awarded 121 out of 150 marks even though he attempted only 21 questions as per the carbon copy of his Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet.

It was then that one of the biggest recruitment scams in Karnataka unfolded, with the CID stepping in to probe the case. The probe revealed that lakhs of rupees were given in bribes.

The CID investigations also revealed that the candidates used two methods of cheating.

One was that of using Bluetooth and/or other electronic devices, while the other involved insiders from the Recruitment Cell.

The candidates would not answer unfamiliar questions and leave them blank. They later got their hands on the OMR sheets, where they filled in correct answers, police sources told South First.

Related: Probe officer demanded ₹3 crore bribe, says PSI scam accused

Other Cabinet decisions

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday also gave a nod to instal an idol of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi on the premises of the Vidhana Soudha at an estimated cost of ₹23 crore.

It also approved phase-3 works of Namma Metro for 44.65 km at an estimated cost of ₹15,611 crore in Bengaluru City. This project is proposed to be completed by 2028.

The Siddaramaiah Cabinet also gave a nod to develop a tree park — comprising basic amenities, including a playground — in the KR Pura taluka of East Bengaluru across around 65 acres of land at an estimated cost of ₹11 crore.

The Cabinet also approved the upgrading of primary health centres (PHCs) at an estimated cost of ₹40 crore. It also gave a nod to set up 33 PHCs at an estimated cost of ₹130 crore.

The also Cabinet okayed the overall infrastructure development of the veterinary college at an estimated cost of ₹163.75 crore. Similar works will also be taken up in Athani’s veterinary college at an estimated cost of ₹82.55 lakh.

The Siddaramaiah Cabinet also gave a nod to develop hostels for the Maharani Arts and Science College at an estimated cost of ₹175 crore.

The Cabinet also approved the setting up of an agri-innovation centre in Bengaluru at an estimated cost of ₹67.5 crore. This centre will function to build and encourage start-ups in the agriculture sector.

(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)