KPSC Exam Scam: Karnataka Govt Grants Prosecution Sanction Against IAS Officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar

BENGALURU: October 24, 2026 | 12:46 PM 
In a major political and administrative development, the Karnataka government has intensified its crackdown on corruption by granting prosecution sanction against suspended Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in connection with the high-profile Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) examination scam.

The formal order granting prosecution clearance was approved by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar under Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following a thorough review of the investigative files and case documentation.

The Allegations and Core Findings

The multi-crore KPSC recruitment scam—which triggered nationwide political uproar—centered around the leakage of question papers and answer keys for recruitment exams, including positions for Veterinary Officers and Industrial Extension Officers.

According to Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations and state probing agencies, Officer Gangwar allegedly colluded with key conspirators, including Basavaraj Kannale, a syndicate member of Tumkur University. Investigators revealed that confidential examination question papers were illicitly transferred to the syndicate via an HP pen drive days before the scheduled exam on January 9.

The ED investigation further uncovered that:

 Massive Bribery: The prime accused, Kannale, allegedly collected ₹1.50 crore in advance bribes from aspiring candidates.

 Cash Handover: Out of the total collections, approximately ₹1.30 crore in cash was allegedly funneled directly to IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar.

 Misuse of Funds: Portions of the illicit funds were reportedly utilized to purchase high-end gold ornaments, including transactions involving a former KPSC official.

Following the initial revelations, Gangwar was arrested, placed under immediate suspension, and subjected to extensive custodial interrogation by the ED before being remanded to judicial custody by a city civil and sessions court.

Administrative Fallout and Political Implications

The ongoing KPSC recruitment scandal has caused severe political embarrassment for the ruling establishment. By greenlighting the prosecution sanction against a senior bureaucratic figure, the state government aims to signal zero-tolerance toward institutional corruption and administrative malpractices.

Legal experts note that obtaining prosecution sanction under the BNSS marks a critical legal threshold, clearing the path for the judiciary and central enforcement agencies to proceed with formal trial proceedings against the accused IAS officer.