Fresh KPSC recruitment scam rocks Karnataka as Congress supports anti-NEET agitation in Delhi

As NEET paper leak protests continue at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has landed in fresh controversy, only days after the suspension of its former Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar, with more than 50 candidates alleging large-scale irregularities in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers.

They have claimed that government jobs were being “sold” for as much as ₹80 lakh per seat.

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The BJP was quick to jump in, pointing towards congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi has nowhere to hide.

After the Pharmacy recruitment scam in AAP-ruled Punjab, fresh allegations of recruitment irregularities have now rocked Congress-ruled Karnataka.

Candidates have alleged large-scale malpractice in the recruitment of 400 Veterinary Officers by… pic.twitter.com/IpjTUb5gko

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 23, 2026

The affected candidates Thursday approached the Vidhana Soudha Police Station, demanding an FIR into the matter and a thorough investigation. They urged the authorities to cancel the entire selection and order a fresh recruitment if the allegations are substantiated.

The latest allegations come at a particularly sensitive time for the KPSC, which is already under scrutiny following the suspension of its former Chairman over separate allegations of misuse of office. The complainants have urged investigators to examine whether the present recruitment exercise was similarly compromised and to identify those responsible if any wrongdoing is established.

The recruitment examination for 400 Veterinary Officer posts was held on January 8, while the results were declared on July 17. Soon after the results were announced, several aspirants began questioning the fairness of the selection process, alleging that meritorious candidates had been overlooked and that manipulation had influenced the final outcome.

According to the complainants, more than half of the recruitment process is suspected to have been influenced by illegal practices. They alleged that irregularities occurred at multiple stages of the selection process and called for a comprehensive probe by the investigating agencies.

Among the gravest allegations is the claim that appointments to the Veterinary Officer posts were allegedly being secured through middlemen in exchange for ₹80 lakh. As part of their complaint, the candidates submitted what they claimed was an audio recording purportedly capturing a conversation between an alleged agent and the family of a candidate.

According to the complainants, the alleged agent is heard telling the candidate’s family that the amount had already been fixed at ₹80 lakh and urging them to arrange the money without delay. The family was allegedly advised against making any online transfer and instead asked to bring the cash to Bengaluru. The agent is also said to have assured them that a cheque would be provided as security for the payment and that there was a “99 per cent chance” of securing the appointment.

The alleged intermediary reportedly went on to advise the candidate to complete documentation only after agreeing to the payment and assured the family that accommodation would be arranged in Bengaluru before the remaining formalities were completed.

The aspirants contend that the alleged conversation points to an organised network of middlemen operating within the recruitment process. They have urged investigators to verify the authenticity of the audio recording and identify every individual involved.

Demanding that the present selection process be scrapped, the candidates said a fresh recruitment conducted under strict supervision was essential to restore public confidence in the KPSC and ensure that appointments are made solely on merit.

The allegations, however, are based on the complaint submitted by the candidates and have not yet been independently verified. There was no immediate response from the KPSC or the Karnataka government on the allegations.