Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 24: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday raided the Bengaluru residence of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar in connection with an alleged major irregularity and money-laundering case linked to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment examination for veterinary officers, amid reports that the officer has been out of contact.

ED officials, who had earlier raided the KPSC office and conducted an extensive search, reportedly broke open the door of Kumar’s residence on Jayamahal Road and carried out a detailed search.

The raid followed repeated attempts by ED officials to contact Kumar, which allegedly received no response. The circumstances surrounding his reported absence have assumed greater significance against the backdrop of the KPSC recruitment examination case.

According to reports, Kumar had gone to Kempegowda International Airport on Thursday morning after informing others that he was travelling to Delhi. He reportedly switched off his mobile phone and there was subsequently no information about his whereabouts.

Although he had reportedly told officials that he was going to Delhi and had proceeded to the airport, there was allegedly no confirmation that he had boarded a flight. Another report said he had booked an air ticket at short notice on Thursday and was believed to have travelled to Delhi on August 20.

A senior IAS officer is said to have informed Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh about Kumar’s reported disappearance. Police have reportedly taken the matter seriously and are gathering information about his movements.

The reported absence of the officer has added significance to the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the KPSC veterinary officer recruitment examination. ED officials had conducted raids earlier as part of the probe into the alleged irregularities and money laundering.

Investigating agencies are reportedly examining several aspects of Kumar’s role during his earlier tenure with the KPSC.

Kumar had served as Controller of Examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission and was involved in conducting the veterinary officer recruitment examination as well as the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination.

An FIR had earlier been registered against Shantha Hosamani over allegations of irregularities in the KAS examination. ED officials had also raided Hosamani’s residence as part of the investigation. The agency has now searched Kumar’s residence.

Kumar is currently serving as the Managing Director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Home Minister denies officer is missing

However, Home Minister Priyank Kharge has rejected reports that Kumar is missing and offered a different account of the officer’s whereabouts.

Kharge said he had personally spoken to the IAS officer and clarified that he was not missing.

“I personally spoke to IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar. He is not missing. Since his father was unwell, he has gone to his native place in Uttar Pradesh. He is not missing as reported in the media,” Kharge said.

The contrasting accounts — reports that Kumar went out of contact after travelling to the airport and the Home Minister’s assertion that he is in Uttar Pradesh due to his father’s illness — have added a fresh layer to the ongoing KPSC examination irregularity and ED probe.