ED attaches assets worth ₹1.53 crore in Karnataka PSI recruitment scam

Bengaluru: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), investigating the massive irregularities in the Karnataka Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment, has taken stringent action against key accused by attaching immovable assets worth ₹1.53 crore.

The properties belong to former ADGP Amruth Paul and Head Constable Sridhar H., and the move comes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The controversy erupted during the 2021-22 recruitment for 545 PSI vacancies in Karnataka.

Soon after the examinations, allegations of large-scale malpractice, corruption, and manipulation surfaced. Complaints were lodged at Bengaluru’s Highgrounds Police Station and the Crime Investigation Department (CID), prompting the ED to launch a detailed probe into the financial irregularities associated with the recruitment process.

Investigations revealed shocking institutional involvement. Amruth Paul, who was the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of the recruitment division at the time, played a central role in the scam.

According to the ED, Paul handed over the keys of the strong room where the OMR answer sheets were stored to DYSP Shantakumar. This access reportedly allowed the officials to manipulate OMR sheets, ensuring that ineligible candidates were selected for the PSI posts.

Large-scale bribery network

The ED report highlights that the accused collected bribes ranging from ₹30 lakh to ₹70 lakh from each candidate. The money was transferred in phases through informal channels, referred to as ‘Hand Loans,’ to conceal the trail. This illicitly acquired money was then used to purchase residential properties, which have now been provisionally attached by the ED.

The ED has also filed prosecution complaints in court, and the judiciary is now considering the charges of illegal money transfer under the PMLA. The attached assets include residential properties of both Amruth Paul and Sridhar, marking the first major step toward recovering illegally acquired wealth from the scam.

Investigations are ongoing, and officials indicate that additional influential individuals who may have facilitated or benefited from the illegal recruitment process could face action. The case has sent shockwaves through the Karnataka Police Department, exposing deep-rooted corruption in law enforcement recruitment and raising questions about transparency and accountability.

With ED monitoring all financial transactions linked to the case, further actions against other beneficiaries are expected in the coming weeks, keeping the focus on curbing corruption and ensuring integrity in police recruitment processes.

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