Karnataka HC forms Alok Kumar-led SIT to probe KPSC recruitment irregularities

The Karnataka High Court on Monday constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar to conduct a fresh probe into alleged irregularities in recruitments conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). A single-judge Bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna directed the SIT to undertake a de novo investigation into the cases, including allegations surrounding the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers, while declining petitions seeking transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The court ordered the SIT to complete its investigation and submit its final report within 100 days from the date it begins the probe. It must also place progress reports before the High Court every 30 days.

Five-member SIT formed

Alok Kumar, currently serving as DGP, Prisons and Correctional Services, will head the SIT. The other members are senior police officers Divya V Gopinath, Anoop A Shetty, Kushal Chouksey and Kshama Mishra. The court directed the Karnataka government to issue the necessary notification constituting the SIT and authorising it to function as a police station for purposes connected with the investigation.

The order came on a batch of petitions, including those filed by MLA Basanagouda R Patil Yatnal, the All-Karnataka State Students Association and candidates who had raised allegations of large-scale irregularities in the recruitment process. The petitioners had sought a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities involving recruitment of Veterinary Officers, Gazetted Probationers and other posts.

CID to hand over evidence

The High Court directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and jurisdictional police to transfer the records, documents, electronic evidence and other material collected during their investigations to the newly constituted SIT. The transfer is to be completed within a week, after which the existing investigating agencies will cease their independent probes into the cases covered by the court’s order, except to provide assistance sought by the SIT.

Significantly, the court said the investigation should not be restricted to individuals already named in the criminal cases. The SIT has been authorised to follow the evidence and investigate other people, offences or transactions if a connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities emerges. Government departments, investigating agencies and other public authorities have also been directed to cooperate with the SIT and provide records or other material required for the investigation.

ED probe to continue

The SIT has also been asked to coordinate with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel investigation into the matter under money-laundering laws. The court said the SIT could receive information gathered by the ED and extend cooperation to the central agency as the investigations proceed.

The special team has also been given the freedom to seek forensic, cyber, financial and technical assistance considered necessary for the probe. Justice Nagaprasanna directed that the investigation be conducted independently and impartially, without being influenced by observations made by the court regarding the merits of the allegations.

CBI probe declined

The High Court stopped short of transferring the investigation to the CBI, holding that constituting an SIT comprising senior and experienced officers was appropriate in the circumstances. The controversy has centred prominently on allegations surrounding the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers by the KPSC. Questions have also been raised over other recruitment exercises conducted by the commission.

The petitions before the court followed a series of allegations over the functioning of the recruitment process, including claims involving the selection of relatives of officials. The allegations remain under investigation. The High Court said petitions seeking quashing of criminal cases connected with the matter would be considered after the SIT files its final report. The case is scheduled to come up again on January 5, 2027, when the court is expected to consider the progress of the investigation.