The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the Karnataka High Court's directive to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and conduct a fresh investigation into alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment process for veterinary officers. This stay answers the core question of whether the SIT probe will proceed immediately or be reviewed further.
- The Supreme Court stayed the High Court's order constituting the SIT.
- The stay applies to the SIT formation and fresh probe directives.
- The Karnataka government must file objections to SIT members by October 12.
- The State may suggest alternative SIT members.
- The CID is already investigating the matter, nearing completion.
- The High Court had ordered the SIT to investigate recruitment irregularities involving 400 veterinary officers.
- The KPSC chairman was suspended amid allegations of illegal recruitment favors.
Why did the Supreme Court stay the Karnataka High Court's SIT order?
The Supreme Court stayed the Karnataka High Court's September 21 order that directed the formation of an SIT and a fresh probe into alleged irregularities in KPSC veterinary officer recruitment. The stay applies specifically to the paragraphs dealing with SIT constitution and the new investigation. The Court issued notices to the Karnataka government and original petitioners, setting October 12 as the date to respond.
What objections did the Karnataka government raise against the SIT?
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the State, argued that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was already investigating the case and nearing completion. He objected to the High Court appointing SIT members without consulting the State. Specifically, he raised concerns about including Alok Kumar, Director General and Inspector General of Prisons, in the SIT, citing a separate CBI probe questioning Kumar's role in phone interception.
What is the composition of the SIT ordered by the High Court?
The High Court had ordered the SIT to be headed by Alok Kumar. Other members included Divya Gopinath, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory; Deputy Commissioners of Police Anup Shetty and Shama Mishra; and Superintendent of Police Kushal Chouksay. The SIT was tasked with taking over evidence from the CID and local police and submitting investigation reports within 100 days.
What are the allegations against the KPSC in the recruitment case?
The KPSC has been under scrutiny after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot suspended its chairman, Shivashankarappa S Sahukar. Sahukar allegedly facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers. Sahukar is currently missing, and the KPSC registrar, IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, was arrested along with a middleman, Basavaraj Kannale.
What are the next steps following the Supreme Court's stay?
The Supreme Court has asked the Karnataka government to submit a sealed affidavit by October 12 outlining any objections to the SIT members and suggesting alternative names if necessary. The Court will hear the matter again on that date. Meanwhile, the stay remains in effect for the SIT formation and fresh probe directives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the investigation into KPSC recruitment irregularities stopped?
A: The Supreme Court has stayed the High Court's order for a fresh SIT probe but the CID investigation is ongoing and nearing completion.
Q: Who is currently investigating the recruitment irregularities?
A: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is investigating the matter.
Q: Why was the KPSC chairman suspended?
A: The chairman was suspended due to allegations of facilitating illegal recruitment of his daughters.
Q: When will the Supreme Court hear the case next?
A: The next hearing is scheduled for October 12, when the State must submit objections to the SIT members.
