Karnataka High Court Denies Anticipatory Bail to Suspended KPSC Chairman in Recruitment Scam

The Karnataka High Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Sahukar S. Shivashankarappa in connection with alleged large-scale irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty, who presided over the single-judge bench, delivered the ruling, strongly observing that the allegations reflect a 'systematic fraud' involving commission officials, their family members, an examination controller, and external middlemen. The case stems from an investigation initiated by the Karnataka State Police following complaints that the selection process was rigged. Investigations revealed that several relatives of high-ranking KPSC officials scored suspiciously high marks, and there were allegations of pre-exam question paper leaks alongside the tampering of OMR answer sheets post-examination. Before approaching the High Court, Shivashankarappa had sought pre-arrest protection from a trial court, which was rejected on August 11 due to the serious nature of the allegations and the need for custodial interrogation. Highlighting the broader societal impact, the High Court remarked that widespread malpractices in competitive exams cause intense despair among deserving candidates and erode public trust in public institutions. The court noted that ongoing legal proceedings require thorough probe without interference, thereby paving the way for law enforcement agencies to pursue custodial interrogation. The decision marks a significant legal milestone in state efforts to clean up public service recruitment processes.