'Prima Facie Case Made Out': Bengaluru Court Denies Bail To IAS Officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar In KPSC Recruitment Scam
A Bengaluru Sessions Court on Friday (September 25) denied bail to IAS officer Gyanedra Kumar Gangwar booked for alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department, conducted by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
Gangwar who was the former controller of examination KPSC argued that there was no direct nexus or prima-facie material connecting him to the alleged recruitment malpractices. It was argued that the prosecution primarily relied on the statement of one candidate who is alleged to have received a WhatsApp call from an unidentified person and demanded for money to secure employment.
It was argued that the statement does not allege any demand by the petitioner nor mentions any payment made to the petitioner.
LI Addl. City Civil & Sessions Judge Nirmala Devi, Bengaluru City noted that the petitioner's argument that he was illegally detained by the police without issuing despite appearing voluntarily for investigation and that it was mandatory to serve notice for the alleged offence. The court however noted that the petition itself stated that the petitioner appeared in response to notice under Section 179 BNSS
"The learned P.P. argued that the petitioner appeared before the respondent police, but he never co-operated with the investigation and therefore they were constrained to arrest him and take him to police custody in order to fecilitate the investigation. Since the alleged offence is U/Sec. 10(2) of Karnataka Public examination (Measures for prevention of Corruption and unfair means of Recruitment) Act, 2023. and the punishment prescribed is for more than 10 years and fine of Rs. 10 Crores, the issuance of notice for interrogation is not mandatory. However there is no serious contention made by the petitioner regarding non-serving of notice for investigation," the court said.
The petitioner's counsel argued that he is a survivor of Testicular Cancer undergone two surgeries and still under going chemotherapy and also suffers from life threatening medical conditions and High Blood pressure, asthma and chronic liver condition. The court however noted that in support of this ground no medical records was placed before the court.
"Therefore the petitioner has failed to establish that he is suffering from serious medical condition and requires medication and immediate surgery I.e, medical emergency," the court said.
The petitioner claimed that the prosecution case is solely based on documents, electronic and forensic and the same are in the custody of respondent police which have been referred for forensic analysis and therefore further detention of the petitioner is not required.
According to the prosecution there are prima facie materials against the petitioner regarding involvement in the commission of alleged offences with accused No.6 Basavaraj Kannale, and that money exchanged between the petitioner and accused No.6 has been traced.
"As per the money trail synopsis a sum of Rs. 15,00,014/- deposited by the selected candidates as per the instructions of accused No.6 to the account of one Balu reddy maintained with Kotak Mahindra bank and thereafter he transferred the said amount to the account of accused No.6 and accused No.6 transferred the said amount to the account of petitioner, who in turn paid it for purchasing gold jewellery worth of Rs. 52,30,000/- from Bhima jewellers, Bengaluru.
The learned P.P. vehemently argued that even the respondent has collected photograph of petitioner with his friend Ms. Yashi Jaiswal purchasing Diamond necklace from Bhima Jewellers and produced the said photograph. The learned counsel for petitioner pointed out that the said photograph is related to 26.7.2026 i.e., after registration of the FIR and therefore it is manipulated. The respondent has produced the copies of receipts regarding purchase of gold jewels from Bhima jewellers in the name of Ms. Yashi Jaiswal. However the said documents are subject to trial. However the said photograph coupled with copies of receipts would make out a prima facie case regarding money trail traced to accused No.6," the court said.
The court referred to the documents produced by prosecution including phone calls between accused no. 6 and petitioner and said that it established prima facie materials against the petitioner had contact with accused No.6 and also there is money trail traced by the respondent between accused No.5 and 6 and the candidates.
"Therefore as the prosecution has made-out a prima facie case regarding the alleged offence against the petitioner, if he is released on bail, as he is an IAS Officer there is possibility of influencing further investigation. Therefore as investigation is still pending, and also the prosecution has alleged that petitioner involved in destroying the evidence i.e. Xiamoi tab used for the commission of the offence, the grounds urged by the petitioner does not inspire to grant regular bail to the petitioner. Therefore at this stage the petitioner has not made-out valid reasons to release him on regular bail," the court held.
Gangwar–presently the Director of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Department of Industries and Commerce in the state government, had moved the court seeking bail in an FIR lodged under 318(3) of BNS 2023 and Section 10 of Karnataka Public examination (Measures for prevention of Corruption and unfair means of Recruitment) Act.
The prosection has alleged that KPSC issued notification on 29.7.2024 for the recruitment of 400 (342+58 Back log) posts of Veterinary officers in the Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department. The competitive exams conducted on 8.1.2026 and 9.1.2026. The final list announced on 17.7.2026. It was alleged that the candidates related to the President, Members and Staff working in High posts of KPSC have passed in the examination with Highest ranks.
It is also alleged that examination conducted by the KPSC for the post of 3 Veterinary officers was very tough and the candidates who have won gold medals and passed the IFS examination conducted by the UPSC had failed to get 350 marks. It was alleged that candidates who performed average in their degree examination had scored more than 400 marks. This, allegedly, raised suspicion regarding genuineness of selection process. It was alleged that the candidates were taken to Hotels and the question papers with answers were given, wherein they were trained for the exam.
Case title: Gyanedra Kumar Gangwar v/s The State of Karnataka
Crl. Misc. No. 9170/2026