Rs 1.5 crore for 25 marks: Irregularities alleged in KAS interview too?

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has come under fresh scrutiny after allegations of irregularities in the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination surfaced. A student leader has alleged that a KPSC member demanded Rs 1.5 crore in exchange for awarding 25 marks during the interview process.

Student leader Kantaraju has lodged a complaint at the Vidhana Soudha Police Station regarding the alleged malpractice. However, sources said no FIR has been registered yet, as the complainant has been asked to provide supporting evidence.

According to the complaint, the allegations relate to the interview process conducted for the recruitment of 384 KAS posts. Kantaraju claimed that a candidate had paid money to secure higher interview marks and alleged that the candidate was in contact with a KPSC member.

He further alleged that call detail records (CDRs) indicate communication between the candidate and the KPSC member, raising questions about why a commission member was in contact with an interview candidate. The interviews, held about two months ago, were conducted by a four-member panel, and Kantaraju alleged that one member demanded Rs 1.5 crore for awarding 25 marks.

CID sends seized records to FSL

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the alleged Veterinary Officer recruitment scam, has sent OMR sheets and CCTV footage seized during its search of the KPSC office to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination.

The forensic analysis is expected to determine whether there was any tampering with the OMR sheets and whether CCTV footage was altered or reused.

The CID has also recorded the statement of complainant Manjunath and forwarded all relevant documents to the FSL as part of the ongoing investigation.