BJP demands CBI probe into Rs 800 crore Karnataka veterinary recruitment scam
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Monday demanded that the Karnataka Public Service Commission's (KPSC) internal inquiry into the alleged Rs 80 lakh bribery
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Monday demanded that the Karnataka Public Service Commission's (KPSC) internal inquiry into the alleged Rs 80 lakh bribery scam in the recruitment of veterinary officers be scrapped and replaced with either a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe or a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge of the Karnataka High Court. Ashoka has written to the KPSC Chairman seeking an independent investigation. He also met the KPSC Chairman and Secretary, along with Legislative Council Opposition Leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, former minister Suresh Kumar and representatives of the candidates, to press the demand. Read Full Story The BJP leader argued that the KPSC's decision to investigate the allegations through an internal committee lacked credibility and violated the principles of natural justice. KPSC WITHHOLDS RECRUITMENT LIST The Karnataka Public Service Commission has withheld the final selection list for the recruitment of veterinary officers after allegations of irregularities in the examination prompted a police case and an internal inquiry.
The inquiry was ordered after India Today reported on the allegations on July 24. The controversy centres on the recruitment of 342 regular posts and 58 backlog vacancies, with candidates alleging that the selection process was manipulated through middlemen. As part of what they described as a sting operation, candidates released audio recordings, photographs and videos, including purported conversations involving alleged brokers, claiming these pointed to irregularities in the recruitment process. 'RS 80 LAKH DEMAND SHOCKED ASPIRANTS' Ashoka said allegations that candidates were asked to pay up to Rs 80 lakh for appointments had shocked the public and lakhs of job aspirants. Citing media reports, he said notices had been issued to hundreds of candidates and there were suspicions of financial transactions worth several crores. He also alleged the involvement of officials, middlemen and influential individuals. "The credibility of the KPSC has been severely damaged. An inquiry by its own officials will inspire no confidence among the public or job aspirants and appears to be an attempt to cover up the matter," he said.
Ashoka said the controversy extended beyond a single recruitment exercise and affected the aspirations of lakhs of young people who had spent years preparing for competitive examinations. He warned that recruitment based on money and influence instead of merit would undermine the integrity of the state's public service system. 'CANDIDATES WERE TAKEN OUTSIDE BENGALURU' Ashoka alleged that candidates who paid money were taken outside Bengaluru, including to other states, where they were allegedly supplied with question papers and coached before the examination. He claimed deserving candidates had secured lower marks while less meritorious candidates obtained unusually high scores. Ashoka further alleged that corruption in the KPSC was an open secret and claimed that despite four complaints already being filed, police investigations had failed to bring those responsible to justice. He warned that the BJP would launch statewide protests if the government failed to order an independent probe. The BJP leader also accused the Congress of adopting double standards, saying it demanded accountability from Union ministers when examination paper leaks occurred at the Centre but blamed only officials when similar controversies arose in Karnataka.
The BriefWire