ED Seizes Rs 1.5 Crore Assets in Bengaluru Police Recruitment Scam
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Bengaluru police sub-inspector (PSI) recruitment scandal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has announced the attachment of properties valued at Rs 1.5 crore. These assets are linked to IPS officer Amrit Paul and head constable Sridhar H under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Key Role of Senior Police Officer Revealed
According to an official release from the ED, the investigation has uncovered that Amrit Paul, who served as the additional director general of police (recruitment) at the time, played a central role in the conspiracy. The agency revealed that Paul facilitated unauthorized access to the strongroom where optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets were securely stored.
He allegedly handed over the keys to the almirah containing the strongroom keys to then deputy superintendent of police Shanth Kumar. This action enabled accomplices, including Sridhar H, to tamper with the OMR sheets of undeserving candidates, thereby ensuring their selection in the recruitment process.
Bribery and Money Laundering Network
The ED's findings indicate that the accused collected substantial bribes ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 70 lakh per candidate. These illicit cash proceeds were then cleverly layered through the guise of loans. The laundered money was subsequently utilized for the construction of residential properties, which have now been attached by the enforcement agency.
The ED has already filed a prosecution complaint in this matter, and the court has taken cognizance of the money laundering offences. This legal step underscores the seriousness of the charges and the thoroughness of the investigation.
Background of the PSI Recruitment Scandal
The recruitment examination for 545 PSI posts was conducted in October 2021, attracting over 54,000 candidates who appeared at 93 centers across Karnataka. When the results were announced in January 2022, numerous allegations of corruption and irregularities surfaced, prompting a criminal complaint at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru.
The case was subsequently transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which identified the police recruitment cell located within the CID headquarters as the epicenter of the entire scam. To date, more than 75 individuals, including Amrit Paul, have been arrested in connection with this widespread corruption case.
Two-Stage Cheating Mechanism Uncovered
CID investigations revealed that the cheating was executed through a sophisticated two-stage process:
- Allowing candidates to use Bluetooth devices to receive answers at select examination centers during the test
- Subsequently tampering with the OMR sheets of chosen candidates inside the secure strongroom
Suspended deputy superintendent of police Shanth Kumar has been identified as the key individual who accessed the strongroom at the CID headquarters and manipulated the OMR sheets to alter examination outcomes.
Comprehensive Investigation and Findings
The CID has filed an impressive 17 chargesheets in this case, with five of these specifically detailing the alleged role of IPS officer Amrit Paul. Investigators made a significant breakthrough when they recovered over Rs 3 crore from the car driver of the IPS officer, further substantiating the financial dimensions of the scam.
One of the chargesheets provided detailed insights into how Paul allegedly received bribes from candidates through intermediaries, including one transaction facilitated by a neighbor in Sahakarnagar. Following the CID's extensive investigation, the Enforcement Directorate took over the case to pursue the money laundering aspects under PMLA.
Current Status and Future Proceedings
According to CID sources, IPS officer Amrit Paul is scheduled to retire in 2027. However, the state government has yet to initiate departmental proceedings against Paul and other accused police officials involved in the case. This delay in administrative action has raised questions about the comprehensive accountability measures being implemented in response to one of Karnataka's most significant recruitment scandals.
The ED's property attachment represents a crucial step in recovering illicit gains and serves as a strong deterrent against similar corruption in public recruitment processes. As the legal proceedings continue, this case highlights the vulnerabilities in recruitment systems and the importance of robust oversight mechanisms in public service appointments.
