Karnataka High Court Forms SIT Headed by DGP Alok Kumar to Probe KPSC Recruitment Irregularities

The High Court of Karnataka has ordered the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior Director General of Police Alok Kumar to conduct a de novo investigation into recent alleged recruitment irregularities within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC). Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the directive on Monday, mandating that the newly formed unit complete its inquiry and submit a final report within 100 days.

The judicial intervention follows petitions filed by opposition MLA Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal and the All Karnataka State Students Association, alongside other litigants. The legal challenges emerged in the wake of controversies surrounding the recruitment of gazetted probationers and veterinary officers, which notably included allegations regarding the selection of daughters of suspended KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar.

Under the court's order, all records, electronic evidence, and materials gathered thus far by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and jurisdictional police forces must be handed over to the SIT as soon as the state government formally notifies the team. Justice Nagaprasanna further instructed all state departments, public authorities, and investigative agencies to extend unhindered cooperation to the specialized unit.

The bench stipulated that the probe must not remain restricted strictly to individuals already named in existing registered cases. The SIT has been granted the judicial latitude to expand its investigation to other persons if emerging evidence warrants such action during the inquiry process.

The judicial mandate explicitly orders the SIT to cooperate with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has initiated a parallel investigation into the financial and administrative aspects of the KPSC irregularities. The SIT is expected to share and receive intelligence gathered during the course of the federal agency's separate probe.

To ensure continuous oversight, the court directed the investigating team to submit a formal progress report every 30 days. Additionally, the bench ruled that all pending criminal petitions seeking the quashing of related cases will be held back and taken up for judicial consideration only after the SIT officially places its investigation report before the court.

Under statutory criminal procedure and settled judicial practice, progress reports in active investigations are submitted under sealed cover to preserve confidentiality and prevent accused persons from inspecting ongoing case diary material.

The immediate operational priority rests on the state government formally notifying the composition of the SIT, which includes designated members Divya V. Gopinath, Anup A. Shetty, Kushal Chouksey, and Kshama Mishra alongside Director General Alok Kumar. Once gazetted, the team must execute the transfer of files from the CID and conclude its comprehensive de novo inquiry within the strict 100-day window established by Justice Nagaprasanna.