Bengaluru, September 27: Karnataka Legislative Council Chief Whip of the Opposition N. Ravikumar has strongly criticised the Congress-led state government for its reported decision to approach the Supreme Court against the Karnataka High Court’s order directing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment scam involving Veterinary Officer appointments, question paper leaks and alleged manipulation of OMR answer sheets.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, Ravikumar alleged that the state government was attempting to obstruct an independent investigation being conducted under the supervision of the High Court.
Questioning the government’s objection to the High Court’s order constituting a five-member SIT headed by a senior IPS officer, he asked whether the Congress government had lost confidence in its own senior police officers or feared that a court-monitored investigation could expose the involvement of influential ministers and officials.
Ravikumar alleged that there had been earlier attempts to dilute the investigation through a CID probe and said the High Court had, therefore, entrusted the matter to an independent SIT to ensure a fair inquiry. Challenging the High Court’s direction before the Supreme Court, he said, amounted to an attempt to suppress the truth.
He maintained that the alleged irregularities concern the future of lakhs of job aspirants and urged the government to facilitate a transparent investigation instead of shielding those allegedly involved. He further stated that public money should not be spent defending individuals facing corruption allegations.
Ravikumar demanded that the state government immediately withdraw its proposed appeal before the Supreme Court and fully cooperate with the SIT investigation as directed by the High Court. He also called for the removal of any minister allegedly obstructing the probe, stringent action against officials, politicians and intermediaries found responsible for the scam, and a transparent re-examination to ensure justice for candidates who were allegedly deprived of fair opportunities.
“The Congress government may pursue every legal remedy available, but it cannot conceal the tru
