Bengaluru: Govt is likely to approach Supreme Court, challenging the Karnataka high court order directing a special investigation team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities in recruitments made by Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), law department officials said.On Monday, Justice M Nagaprasanna withdrew an ongoing investigation by CID into alleged large-scale corruption in the recruitment of veterinary officers and other KPSC exams and handed it to an SIT to be led by senior IPS officer Alok Kumar.Govt is especially miffed with the high court naming the officer who should head the team. Chief minister DK Shivakumar Tuesday expressed displeasure over the order, saying: “Deciding which officer should be appointed to lead an investigation is a matter of the executive’s discretion. How can courts interfere in this?”Govt’s chief argument is that state police are already investigating alleged irregularities efficiently, and directing an SIT under specific officers could send the wrong message.The HC had suggested the SIT’s work may not be confined to veterinary officers’ recruitment and could extend to KAS, AE and other exams held over the past three or four years, when accused Jnanendra Kumar was in charge.The judge insisted the probe should not be restricted to persons named in the FIR, current allegations or the framework that has emerged so far. SIT is free to follow the evidence to other individuals, irregularities or financial transactions, the court said.This has triggered speculation in govt circles that names of several influential people, including MLAs and ministers from governing Congress, could surface, raising concerns over political fallout.Meanwhile, Union minister HD Kumaraswamy criticised Shivakumar over his suggestion that KPSC could be shut down. “The CM’s statement is not merely an expression of frustration. It is the height of foolishness, irresponsibility and ignorance,” he said.Kumaraswamy said KPSC, a constitutionally protected body, should not be blamed for irregularities, and instead accountability should be fixed. He said while some people in the commission may have acted improperly, the institution itself continues to function effectively.
