Published Sep 30, 2026 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 30, 2026 | 4:11 PM
Around ₹80 lakh was initially demanded from each candidate before the amount was negotiated down to ₹30 lakh–₹40 lakh, according to the agency.
Synopsis: The ED said its investigation into the alleged KPSC veterinary doctors’ recruitment exam paper leak found that candidates were taken to a resort near Bengaluru, given a leaked question paper with the correct answers and made to memorise them before the examination for ₹30 lakh–₹40 lakh. The agency said the principal accused, Basavaraj Kannale, assured candidates of selection and obtained the paper through former KPSC Controller of Examinations Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in return for illegal gratification.
The Enforcement Directorate said its investigation into the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) veterinary doctors’ recruitment exam paper leak found that candidates who paid ₹30 lakh to ₹40 lakh each for selection as veterinary officers were taken to a resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru, given the leaked recruitment examination paper with the correct answers and made to memorise them before being driven to their examination centres the next day.
The ED is probing the money trail in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, based on multiple FIRs registered at the Vidhana Soudha police station in Bengaluru under Sections 318(3), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
In a statement on Wednesday, 30 September, the agency said the paper was leaked one day before the examination for 400 Veterinary Officer posts and supplied by the principal accused, Basavaraj Kannale, who had allegedly obtained it through Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, IAS, then Controller of Examinations of the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
Around ₹80 lakh was initially demanded from each candidate before the amount was negotiated down to ₹30 lakh–₹40 lakh, according to the agency.
Portions were collected in cash and through banking channels. Some candidates were made to furnish blank signed cheques and promissory notes to secure the balance, some of which the agency said were later recovered and seized.
The bank account of M/s Om Lakshmi Souharda Sahakari Sangha Niyamitha, Bidar, was also used to receive some amounts connected with the alleged illegal gratification, the ED said.
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The ED formally arrested Kannale and Gangwar on 17 and 18 September, respectively. Both were already in judicial custody after being arrested by the Karnataka Police in connection with the case.
Kannale was produced before the Special Court for PMLA cases (CCH-4) on 29 September, while Gangwar was produced before the court on 21 September on a production warrant. The court granted the ED 14 days’ custody of each for further investigation.
As Controller of Examinations, Gangwar was responsible, among other things, for finalising and supervising the printing of question papers and maintaining custody of confidential examination material. The agency said he misused his official position to facilitate the leakage of the question paper to Kannale in return for illegal gratification.
Kannale then identified and approached multiple candidates and assured them of selection in the examination, the ED said.
After receiving the leaked paper, Kannale and his associates allegedly took the candidates to a resort on Bengaluru’s outskirts and supervised them as they memorised the answers.
On the examination day, they were transported to their respective centres in vehicles arranged by Kannale and/or his associates.
The ED said material seized during searches conducted between 18 August and 24 August showed that proceeds from the alleged criminal activity were subsequently layered through bank transfers, purchase of gold jewellery, cash payments for air travel and cash transactions.
The agency said these transactions were used to conceal the nature and source of the proceeds and project them as untainted property.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
