Judge Mandates Open Court Appearance for KPSC Officials in Fraud Case

In a decisive ruling on Wednesday, Justice Manjunath of the Fourth Chief Civil Judge’s Court in Bangalore ordered the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to bring suspended KPSC chairman Shivshankarp and member Gita before an open courtroom by 3 p.m. The directive follows their midnight arrests in a high‑profile recruitment fraud investigation.

The two officials were initially produced before a magistrate at about 2 a.m., after which the ED applied for a 14‑day custodial term. Responding to the court’s order, the ED must now ensure a public appearance, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.

The arrests arrived shortly after the conclusion of ED custody for BJP leader Basavaraj Kannalli and IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, both of whom were presented, then shifted to judicial custody.

Authorities have indicated that more than eight candidates who sat for the KPSC exams could be called as witnesses. Their statements, to be recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, are expected to shed light on alleged cash payments, the leakage of examination papers, and a pre‑exam training session allegedly held at a resort.

Sources reveal that several aspirants have already confessed to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) that they received money and were involved in the paper‑leak and training arrangements.

The ED continues its probe, focusing on the alleged financial transactions and the participation of officials and other actors in the recruitment scandal.