KPSC recruitment scam: Bengaluru court sends IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar to 6-day ED custody

A special court in Bengaluru on Monday remanded suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar to 6 days of Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in connection with a money laundering case linked to alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment irregularities.

XXI Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge and Special Judge for CBI and PMLA Cases Manjunath Sangreshi passed the order, remanding Gangwar to ED custody until September 26.

Gangwar was produced before the court from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Bengaluru, where he was under judicial custody. The ED sought his custody for investigation into offences under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During the hearing, Special Public Prosecutor for the ED Maheshwari D M sought 14 days’ custodial remand of Gangwar in connection with the alleged leakage of the Veterinary Officer recruitment examination question paper.

In its remand application filed before the court, the ED alleged that Gangwar and Tumkur University syndicate member Basavaraj Kannale conspired to leak the question paper and collect bribes from candidates.

According to the agency, Kannale collected approximately ₹1.50 crore in advance bribes from candidates, of which ₹1.30 crore was allegedly handed over to Gangwar in cash. The ED further alleged that ₹23 lakh was spent on purchasing gold jewellery for the former KPSC official.

The agency claimed that Gangwar provided the question paper, along with answers to Kannale through an HP pen drive on January 7, 2026, ahead of the examination held on January 9.

The ED stated that custodial interrogation was necessary to trace the proceeds of crime, identify other individuals involved and verify the flow of funds.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had earlier secured 10 days of police custody of Gangwar and Kannale on August 31 for further investigation. Gangwar was arrested on Aug 30 by CID.