‘No missing IAS officer in Karnataka’: Priyank Kharge debunks rumour of Gyanendra Kumar's absence

Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge clarified on Saturday that senior IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar, who served as former controller of examinations in the state public service commission, has travelled to Uttar Pradesh to tend to his ill father.

The clarification followed reports that Kumar had gone missing after recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids linked to irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers.

“Gyanendra Kumar is not missing. He came to know that his father was suffering from a heart-related illness and immediately travelled to Uttar Pradesh to see him. Before leaving, he informed his senior officer through email,” Kharge said.

The minister said the officer’s communication was not noticed immediately as it was sent during a holiday. “He will return to Bengaluru in another two days,” he said.

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Kharge also rejected speculation that Kumar had left Bengaluru fearing action by the Income Tax Department or the ED. “There is no question of him escaping because of fear of the IT Department or the ED,” he said.

The ticket for a 3pm flight was booked at around 1.31pm, with the fare reportedly amounting to ₹ 30,253. The last-minute booking had triggered speculation over his whereabouts.

A senior IAS officer had also reportedly sought the Bengaluru police commissioner’s assistance in tracing Kumar.

However, after officials verified the matter, Kharge said there was no basis to describe the officer as missing and maintained that he had travelled due to a family emergency.

A 2016-batch IAS officer, Gangwar had served as Controller of Examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) before being replaced in March this year.

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The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday raided the KPSC premises, former KPSC chairman Shiva Shankarappa Sahukar, member Shanta Hosmani and others as part of a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the veterinary officer recruitment examination.

The Cabinet on Thursday also has decided to recommend to the Governor to suspend Shivshankarappa Sahukar, who is facing corruption ,nepotism charges.

The High Court had earlier quashed the suspension order against him. Following this, the Cabinet has decided to recommend to the Governor to suspend Shivshankarappa Sahukar.