Union minister HD Kumaraswamy claims Congress government let KPSC controller of examinations ‘run away’; demands resignation of Priyank Kharge

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Friday (August 28, 2026) accused the Karnataka government of allowing IAS officer Gyanendra Gangwar, who was the Controller of Examinations of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) when there were alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Gradeyan Khash), to recall the Minister (Gradejanka Khaman) matter.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr Kumaraswamy claimed that Gangwar had “disappeared” after searches by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and questioned the circumstances surrounding it. He also claimed that Mr Kharge was “protecting” the officer despite the allegations against him.

“He disappeared as soon as the ED conducted searches. What is the connection between the disappearance and the Home Minister? That question needs to be answered,” asked Mr Kumaraswamy.

Mr. Kumaraswamy, who released the inquiry records, OMR sheets and other documents at a press conference, alleged that there was widespread manipulation in the recruitment of assistant executive engineers carried out when Mr. Kharge was Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.

He claimed that the investigation had found irregularities in the selection of 24 candidates and that the forensic examination had found tampering with the OMR answer sheets using carbon.

CCTV “evidence”

According to Mr. Kumaraswamy, the KPSC sub-committee examined the OMR sheets and other records after irregularities were found and issued notices to all 24 candidates. While 20 candidates appeared before the committee, four did not. The OMR sheets and other material were subsequently sent for forensic examination.

He said the KPSC secretary has also sought CCTV footage from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPR) for examination. The photos and other material were subsequently sent to a forensics lab, which he claimed found irregularities.

Despite this, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that appointment orders were issued to 24 candidates in a hurry. He also questioned how the preliminary selection list was finalized and alleged that the then KPSC secretary approved it without the approval of the chairman and members of the commission. “Who approved the provisional list?” he asked.

Mr. Kumaraswamy disputed Mr. Kharge’s statement regarding Mr. Gangwar’s whereabouts. Mr. Kumaraswamy said that the Minister had earlier said that the officer had gone to his native place in Lucknow after obtaining permission as his father was unwell and would return to Bengaluru in two days. However, he said that on August 25, Mr. Kharge stated that he did not know where the officer was.

Not an isolated incident

He claimed that the KPSC recruitment controversy was not an isolated incident and referred to the allegations regarding the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. He alleged that a person named Manjunath claimed that ₹80 lakh was demanded for each contribution and said that an ED case was subsequently registered.

Mr. Kumaraswamy also cited the Supreme Court’s direction to hand over the matter to the CBI and demanded that the state government entrust the investigation to the central agency.

“If Mr Kharge has any commitment to transparency and accountability, he should resign immediately,” he said.

Alleging that financial transactions were involved in recruitment irregularities, Mr. Kumaraswamy also alleged that 24 candidates worked for almost a year despite the alleged manipulation of their OMR sheets.

The Union minister said that he would release more documents in the next three to four days.

Link to Prajwal episode

Union minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday hit out at home minister Priyank Kharge, accusing him of doing nothing despite “repeatedly showing videos from Parappan Agrahara jail for weeks” and claiming he would “clean up the home ministry”.

Mr Kumaraswamy’s remarks came amid reports that a mobile phone had allegedly been found with former JD(S) MP Hassan and his nephew Prajwal Revanna, who is serving a life sentence for rape in a Bengaluru jail.

Questioning the functioning of the Home Ministry, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that attempts were being made to silence certain voices. “You can’t silence our voice,” he said.

Published – 28 Aug 2026 18:56 IST