Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. 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 alleged irregularities occurred in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers (Grade-I), to “run away” and demanded the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge over the matter.Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that Gangwar “disappeared” following Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches and questioned the circumstances surrounding it. He also alleged that Mr. Kharge was “protecting” the officer despite 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,” Mr. Kumaraswamy asked.Mr. Kumaraswamy, who released investigation records, OMR sheets and other documents at the press conference, alleged large-scale manipulation in the recruitment of Assistant Executive Engineers conducted when Mr. Kharge was Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.He claimed that irregularities in the selection of 24 candidates had been established through an investigation and that forensic examination had found tampering of OMR answer sheets using carbon.CCTV ‘evidence’According to Mr. Kumaraswamy, a KPSC sub-committee examined the OMR sheets and other records after discrepancies were noticed 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 had also sought CCTV footage from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPR) for examination. Photographs and other material were subsequently sent to the forensic laboratory, which, he claimed, established that irregularities had occurred.Despite this, Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that appointment orders were issued to the 24 candidates in haste. He also questioned how the provisional selection list was finalised, claiming that the then KPSC Secretary approved it without the consent of the Commission’s Chairman and members. “Who authorised the provisional list?” he asked.Mr. Kumaraswamy questioned Mr. Kharge’s statements regarding Mr. Gangwar’s whereabouts. Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Minister had earlier stated that the officer had gone to his native place in Lucknow after obtaining permission as his father was unwell and would return to Bengaluru within two days. However, he said that on August 25, Mr. Kharge had stated that he did not know where the officer was.Not isolated incidentHe alleged that the KPSC recruitment controversy was not an isolated incident and referred to allegations concerning the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers. He claimed that a person named Manjunath had alleged that ₹80 lakh was being demanded for each post and said an ED case was subsequently registered.Mr. Kumaraswamy also cited the High 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.Mr. Kumaraswamy alleged that financial transactions were involved in the recruitment irregularities and also claimed that the 24 candidates had been working for nearly a year despite the alleged manipulation of their OMR sheets.The Union Minister said he would release more documents over the next three to four days. Published - August 28, 2026 06:56 pm IST