Bengaluru, 28 July

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Tuesday that cases registered in connection with alleged irregularities in connection with the KPSC recruiting 400 veterinary officers had been handed over to the CID for investigation.

He assured that a thorough probe would be conducted and those found responsible would be punished.

"In the interest of ensuring a fair investigation, the two cases registered at the VidhanaSoudha Police Station against the KPSC under Section 10 of the Karnataka Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Corruption and Unfair Means in Recruitment) Act, 2023, have been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department," Priyank said in a post on X.

Stating that the government was committed to upholding the credibility of public recruitment, he said any allegation of corruption would be investigated thoroughly.

The announcement came as the BJP demanded an inquiry by the CBI or a sitting judge of the Karnataka HC.

The FIR registered in the case names suspended KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, other KPSC officials and 29 candidates who figured in the selection list.

On Sunday, the KPSC decided to keep the final selection list for the recruitment of veterinary officers on hold pending an internal inquiry.

Alleging a Rs 400 crore scam in veterinary doctors recruitment, BJP's Karnataka unit President BY Vijayendra asked "How much has gone to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar".

Speaking to reporters after participating in a protest by KPSC aspirants at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Tuesday, he said corruption was corruption, irrespective of when it took place.