Karnataka PSI recruitment scam: Congress MLA Priyank Kharge asked to join probe with evidence

The former minister recently released an audio clip that seemed to be a conversation between a selected candidate and a middleman.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday summoned Congress MLA Priyank Kharge, asking him to share information and documents in connection to irregularities in the recruitment of police sub-inspectors.

DySP Narasimhamurthy P, assistant investigation officer of the case, issued notice to the MLA on Sunday, asking him to appear before the IO and share the details on Monday.

Referring to the press conference held by Kharge on Saturday, the DySP said, “You had told the media that you have evidence regarding the scam. As it is necessary to swiftly gather all available evidence as this is a serious and sensitive case, it is important to collect evidence and documents you have in this regard”.

The former minister recently released an audio clip that seemed to be a conversation between a selected candidate and a middleman.

Soon after, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said everything related to the matter would be thoroughly investigated, and action taken against those found guilty.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Monday said, “The CID probing the irregularities in the PSI recruitment has issued a notice to Priyank Kharge to appear before it for questioning. I appeal to the MLA to display his responsibility and assist the CID, which is probing the case in the right direction, by sharing evidence with them.”

Kharge should cooperate with the probe by sharing the documents with him and other information with the CID officials and he should at least assist in ensuring legal action against those involved in the irregularities, he said. “As the impartial probe is on, there is no question of sparing anyone however influential that person is,” Jnanendra said.

The scam came to light in Kalaburagi district and Kharge is an MLA from Chittapur Assembly constituency in the same district. His father Mallikarjun Kharge, a former union minister, too was an MP from Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) Lok Sabha constituency.

More than 10 people have been arrested including Afzalpur MLA’s gunman. A BJP leader, who was close to many high-profile leaders in Karnataka, is on the run while her husband has been arrested. The case came to light after an aspirant was given 100 per cent marks though he had attempted only 21 questions in the second paper.

More than 54,000 candidates wrote the exam for 545 posts. Police sources said the initial probe revealed that up to Rs 75 lakh to 80 lakh was charged from the candidates as bribe.