The Karnataka High Court has directed a fresh investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into allegations surrounding recruitment examinations conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the common order on September 21, 2026, while dealing with five connected petitions concerning KPSC recruitments.
The Court did not permit the existing investigation by the State CID or jurisdictional police to continue. At the same time, it declined to treat transfer of the investigation to the CBI as the only available option.
Background
The proceedings arose from allegations concerning KPSC recruitment to several posts, including the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department. Crime No. 89 of 2026 was registered at Vidhana Soudha Police Station following a complaint by Dr. Manjunatha, a candidate who had participated in the recruitment process.
Selected candidates, including Raj Mohammed and others, approached the High Court seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings against them. Their case was that they had secured their positions through the competitive examination and that the criminal case had placed the final selection list on hold.
Two other connected writ petitions sought transfer of investigations concerning Crime Nos. 78 and 89 of 2026 to the CBI or another independent agency. The petitioners referred to earlier controversies concerning KPSC recruitment and argued that an independent investigation was necessary to maintain public confidence.
The State opposed a CBI investigation, submitting that the CID had already taken over the Veterinary Officer recruitment investigation and that the investigation was proceeding. The State also urged that the High Court could monitor the investigation instead.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna examined the history of allegations surrounding different KPSC recruitments. The Court noted that allegations in the present matters concerned the fairness and credibility of recruitment conducted by a constitutional body.
The Court observed:
"Transfer to the CBI cannot become a universal panacea for every perceived ill in an investigation, recruitment or otherwise."
At the same time, the Court stressed that allegations concerning the purity of public recruitment could not simply be ignored, particularly when thousands of candidates could be affected.
The Court held that the investigation required a balance between independence and speed, observing that prolonged investigation could leave candidates uncertain about their employment prospects.
The High Court constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar. The SIT has been directed to conduct a de novo investigation into Crime Nos. 78 and 89 of 2026 and matters legitimately arising from them.
The SIT must complete the investigation and place its final report before the High Court within 100 days from commencement of the investigation. Its progress must also be reported to the Court every 30 days.
The existing CID and jurisdictional police were directed to hand over their investigation records and evidence to the SIT. The connected petitions seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings will be considered after the SIT submits its report.
The matters have been listed for further hearing on January 5, 2027.
