A Bengaluru court has rejected former KPSC exam controller Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar’s bail plea, citing a prima facie money trail and the risk of evidence tampering, as the CID probe into the veterinary officer paper leak reaches the commission’s suspended chairman.
The ruling on Friday is a setback for the suspended IAS officer, who is accused of leaking the question paper for the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. His alleged middleman, Basavaraj Kannale, was denied bail two days earlier, leaving both key accused in custody as the CID and the Enforcement Directorate widen their investigation.
What the Court Said
Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Nirmala Devi S ruled on Friday that the prosecution had placed prima facie material before the court showing a money trail and contact between Gangwar (Accused No. 5) and Basavaraj Kannale (Accused No. 6). The court noted that the investigation is still ongoing and said there was a risk that evidence could be destroyed and witnesses influenced.
The ruling came two days after a Bengaluru court also rejected Kannale’s bail plea.
What Is the KPSC Veterinary Officer Recruitment Scam?
The case concerns alleged irregularities in the KPSC recruitment exam for 400 Veterinary Officer posts in Karnataka’s Animal Husbandry Department. The exam was held on January 8 and 9, 2026. The complaint alleged that relatives of KPSC officials scored unusually high marks, that some candidates had the question paper before the exam, and that OMR sheets were tampered with. Investigators have identified 29 alleged beneficiaries of the leak.
How the Paper Was Allegedly Leaked
As exam controller, Gangwar finalised the question paper. According to The Indian Express, CID investigators allege that he gave Kannale access to it, and Kannale passed the questions on to paying aspirants. Candidates reportedly paid between ₹40 lakh and ₹80 lakh.
Candidates who paid were allegedly kept at a resort near Devanahalli on Bengaluru’s outskirts, as well as at hotels, just before the exams. There, middlemen reportedly trained them to fill in the OMR sheets and then dropped them off at the exam centres. Sources told the newspaper that the questions were leaked at the last minute because other methods of cheating could be caught through forensic checks. The CID is also awaiting forensic reports on the OMR sheets to find out whether more than one method of cheating was used.
The Enforcement Directorate has separately alleged that Gangwar received about ₹1.30 crore in cash and luxury jewellery in return for the leak.
Call Records Point to KPSC Chairman
The investigation now reaches the top of the commission. The CID reportedly found Internet Protocol Details Records (IPDR) showing a series of internet calls on the exam days between certain candidates, middlemen, Gangwar and the suspended KPSC chairman Sahukar S Shivashankarappa.
According to The Indian Express, an alleged relative of Shivashankarappa scored 456.75 marks in the exam and is said to be among the 29 alleged beneficiaries. A sessions court denied him anticipatory bail on August 22.
State Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesh presented the Karnataka High Court with some of the evidence that allegedly points to Shivashankarappa’s involvement. Shivashankarappa has asked the High Court for anticipatory bail after a sessions court rejected his plea on August 11, and the CID has summoned him again.
Shivashankarappa was appointed KPSC chairman in 2021. He was suspended in a separate matter: his daughter was allegedly recruited as an industrial extension officer through the KPSC using a fake income certificate.
The Money Trail
During the bail hearing, Prosecutor Bhagyalakshmi K L argued that Kannale collected money through Om Lakshmi Souharda Cooperative Society and used it to buy jewellery worth ₹54 lakh from Bhima Jewellers, which was allegedly a gift for Gangwar. The CID also alleges that Kannale spent ₹11 lakh on Gangwar’s air tickets and destroyed a Xiaomi tablet linked to the case.
Investigators are also examining bank records at several co-operative banks in Bidar that are suspected of receiving candidates’ payments. The CID has reportedly traced a ₹92 lakh money trail so far.
Who Is Basavaraj Kannale?
According to The Indian Express, Kannale comes from Dongapur village in Bidar and was once a personal aide to former BJP minister and Bengaluru MLA Dr C N Ashwathnarayan. He later started several businesses, including a dairy farm, a travel agency and a real estate project. He has also campaigned in Bhalki, presenting himself as a possible BJP candidate for the Assembly seat. Local BJP leaders, including former Union minister Bhagwanth Khuba, have said he was not a party worker. Other reports describe him as a Tumkur University syndicate member.
Kannale reportedly got to know Gangwar in 2019, when Gangwar was posted as CEO in Bidar. The association allegedly continued after Gangwar became KPSC exams controller in February 2024, a post he held until March 2026.
Arrests and Timeline
Gangwar disappeared for over a week amid Enforcement Directorate searches and resurfaced on August 27. The CID arrested him on August 29, based on evidence of frequent communication with Kannale. Kannale was arrested at New Delhi airport on August 30, allegedly while trying to fly to Uzbekistan. The ED later formally arrested both men. Gangwar has since been suspended from service.
Defence Cited Medical Grounds
The defence sought bail on medical grounds, telling the court that Gangwar, 41, is a testicular cancer survivor undergoing chemotherapy and has spinal degeneration. The court dismissed the plea.
Charges
Gangwar is booked under BNS Section 318(3) and the Karnataka Public Examinations Act, 2023. The CID and the Enforcement Directorate are both investigating the case.
Signs of a Wider Problem
The case may go beyond the veterinary exam. During searches of properties linked to Kannale, the CID reportedly found OMR sheets and admit cards from the KPSC exam to recruit 384 gazetted probationers for the Karnataka Administrative Services. That recruitment drew over 2 lakh aspirants to its preliminary exam, and the KPSC chairman plays a direct role in its interview stage.
What This Means for Aspirants
Thousands of veterinary graduates prepared honestly for this exam, and the case now raises questions over whether the recruitment will stand. Its future depends on the courts, the investigating agencies and the state government. Candidates should follow official KPSC notifications for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar denied bail?
The court found prima facie evidence of a money trail and contact with co-accused Basavaraj Kannale. It also said there was a risk of evidence tampering while the investigation continues.
How many posts were involved?
400 Veterinary Officer posts. The exam was held on January 8 and 9, 2026.
How much did candidates allegedly pay?
Between ₹40 lakh and ₹80 lakh, according to reports.
Is the KPSC chairman involved?
Suspended KPSC chairman Sahukar S Shivashankarappa is under investigation after call records reportedly linked him to the accused on exam days. He has sought anticipatory bail and has not been charged in court.
Which agencies are investigating?
Karnataka CID and the Enforcement Directorate.
All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This story is based on court proceedings, investigating agencies’ allegations and media reports.
Sources: The Indian Express, Bar & Bench, ANI, NewsKarnataka, The420.in