The Karnataka government is set to contest a high court ruling that mandates a new investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Officials familiar with the situation confirmed this development, indicating a legal challenge is forthcoming.
Chief minister D K Shivakumar had questioned the high court’s decision on Tuesday, saying the state police had already conducted the investigation effectively. “There is no objection. Our police have already investigated and are doing a very good job. In the meantime, the ED has also come in. Let them do it, there is no objection. But one thing is that our people were doing it very competently. They can form an SIT, but I don’t know how the high court can interfere in it. There have been several directions in the past as well. We will legally examine who should be appointed and who should be left out. The decision should be left to the government. If the CID does not do their work properly, they can do whatever they want.
Otherwise, the high court can monitor the ongoing investigation report,” Shivakumar said.
The HC had declined petitions seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities and instead ordered a fresh probe by a five member SIT headed by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar. “The government has approved a proposal to file a Special Leave Petition against the September 21 order of Karnataka High Court.
The Law Department had sought permission to challenge the order, which has since received approval from the government and the prosecution wing,” the officer said.
SIT Formed for New Investigation Amid Government Resistance
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to take over an ongoing investigation, despite opposition from the state government. Officials indicate that the government believes the Criminal Investigation Department has already concluded its inquiry and is reluctant to have Alok Kumar lead the new team.
The SIT includes Alok Kumar, Divya V Gopinath, Anup A Shetty, Kushal Chouksey, and Kshama Mishra. The high court has mandated that all case records, evidence, and investigation materials be transferred to this new team.
The court has given the SIT 100 days to complete its investigation and requires them to submit progress reports every 30 days. Additionally, the SIT is instructed to collaborate with the Enforcement Directorate, which is conducting a separate examination of the alleged money trail connected to the case.
