ED arrests Gyanendra, Kannale
Accused Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar
Accused Basavaraj Kannale
Bengaluru:The CID, probing the alleged job-for-cash scam involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), has told a court that accused Basavaraj Kannale allegedly paid around Rs 11 lakh for 23 air tickets and other expenses incurred by suspended IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar and a woman known to him.The prosecution made the submission while opposing the bail pleas of Gangwar and Kannale. Special public prosecutor KL Bhagyalakshmi placed documents and other records before the court.According to the prosecution, the air tickets were purchased through Bhagavati Enterprises in Bidar, a firm owned by Kannale. The CID alleged that Gangwar and the woman travelled to several destinations this year, with Kannale allegedly bearing the expenses using money paid by civil service aspirants who were allegedly provided leaked question papers.The CID alleged that Gangwar gifted gold and diamond jewellery worth around Rs 54 lakh to the woman in March and June. Of this, Rs 2.9 lakh was allegedly paid in cash and through a credit card, while the remaining amount was transferred to Bhima Jewellers from bank accounts linked to Om Lakshmi Souhardha Sahakari Sangha Niyamita, a Bidar-based cooperative society.The prosecution said the accounts were held by persons known to Kannale, who allegedly instructed KPSC candidates to transfer money to them.The CID also produced panchanama copies relating to gold and diamond ornaments allegedly seized from Jaiswal, along with records of a resort booking in Devanahalli and other arrangements allegedly made for candidates who received the question paper and a ready answer script.“CID has found that Kannale had asked KPSC candidates to make online transfers to those accounts,” Bhagyalakshmi said, adding that CCTV footage showed Gangwar and the woman purchasing jewellery at a showroom.The prosecution claimed investigators had traced payments made by 11 aspiring candidates, totalling around Rs 60 lakh-Rs 70 lakh. The court is examining the material placed by the investigating agency while considering the bail applications.ED arrests Gangwar, KannaleThe Enforcement Directorate has arrested suspended IAS officer Gangwar and his associate Kannale in connection with the scam. The agency had sought body warrants to question them in prison. After collecting documents and alleging that the two were not cooperating, the ED arrested them Friday and took them for questioning Saturday.What is Kannale’s role?Investigators said Kannale’s financial fortunes rose after he met Gangwar in 2019, when Gangwar was CEO of Bidar. Kannale later expanded his business interests, allegedly gaining further opportunities when Gangwar served as KPSC Exam Controller from 2024 until March 2026. Kannale, who identifies himself as a BJP worker, had earlier served as personal aide to former minister CN Ashwathnarayan.
