CID detains IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar over KPSC recruitment irregularities

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar in connection with alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment examination for veterinary officers. He was sent to 1-day judicial custody. Earlier this morning, Gangwar was detained after being questioned by CID officials on Friday and Saturday. He had appeared before the investigating officer in response to a notice issued to him.

According to officials, Gangwar was questioned over his role as the Controller of Examinations at the KPSC between February 2024 and March 2026. He was taken into custody for allegedly not cooperating with the investigation, officials said. Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, is currently serving as Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the Department of Industries and Commerce. The CID is investigating alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination, including the handling of examination records and OMR sheets, as well as the role of officials and others involved in the process. Gangwar is expected to be produced before the jurisdictional court, where the CID is likely to seek his custody for further investigation, according to sources.

Gangwar's whereabouts had recently triggered controversy after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in connection with alleged irregularities at the KPSC. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge had said the officer informed the government that he had travelled to his native place in Uttar Pradesh because of a family emergency involving his father's health. Addressing the media, Priyank said, “Kumar hurriedly left Bengaluru and flew to his hometown following a family-related emergency. Since his mobile phone was not reachable, confusion about his absence arose. Everything is fine with him.” The minister had earlier said, “We received this information (Kumar going incommunicado) two days ago. But there is no formal complaint from his family, relatives or anybody else so far. He cannot be contacted. We will see what needs to be done. He was last seen at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). We have got a few clues and are still investigating.”

Priyank later said Gangwar had established communication with the government and that there was no cause for concern. His reported absence drew public attention amid an ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. The ED had recently conducted searches at 21 locations linked to KPSC officials and members as part of a money-laundering investigation related to the examination process.