The Supreme Court on October 1, 2026, stayed key directions issued by the Karnataka High Court for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and conducting a fresh investigation into alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment cases.
A Division Bench of Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Vijay Bishnoi passed the interim order while hearing the Karnataka government's challenge to the High Court's September 21 order.
Background
The dispute concerns allegations connected with KPSC recruitment, including the selection process for 400 Veterinary Officer posts and other recruitment examinations. The Karnataka High Court had directed a fresh investigation through an SIT headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar.
The High Court had also directed the SIT to complete its investigation within 100 days and submit periodic progress reports.
The Karnataka government challenged those directions before the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the State argued that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had already conducted substantial investigation and that the probe was nearing completion. It submitted that there were no specific allegations showing that the existing investigators were biased, inactive or otherwise required to be replaced.
The State also raised objections concerning some of the officers selected for the SIT and questioned the direction requiring a fresh investigation.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karnataka, opposed the direction for a fresh investigation and submitted that restarting the probe could affect investigation already carried out by the CID.
Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar, appearing for the respondents, supported the High Court's approach and questioned the State's objections to an SIT consisting of State police officers. He submitted that the investigation required an independent team.
The Supreme Court, however, directed the State to place its objections regarding the SIT members before the Court in a sealed cover and also permitted it to suggest alternative names.
The Bench recorded:
“In the meantime, the directions in paragraph 34(i) and 34(ii) shall remain stayed. Issue notice returnable on 12th October. By the next date, the state shall submit in sealed cover delineating the objections, if any, against the members of the SIT constituted under the order of the High Court. They may also suggest alternative names for the SIT.”
The stay specifically applies to paragraphs 34(i) and 34(ii) of the Karnataka High Court's judgment, concerning the SIT and the fresh investigation.
The Supreme Court stayed the relevant Karnataka High Court directions, issued notice, and directed the Karnataka government to submit its objections to the SIT members in a sealed cover, with liberty to propose alternative names.
The matter has been listed for October 12, 2026.
Case Details:
Case Title: State of Karnataka v. Raj Mohammed
Case Number: SLP(Crl) Nos. 18775–18779/2026
Judges: Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Vijay Bishnoi
Decision Date: October 1, 2026
