Karnataka IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar goes missing amid KPSC row; last traced to Bengaluru airport

Karnataka IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar has reportedly gone missing and has been unreachable by his family and others since August 20, with authorities looking into his whereabouts, PTI reported.

Karnataka home minister Priyank Kharge confirmed that the government had received information about the matter but said no formal missing complaint had been filed by Gangwar's family or anyone else.

According to information received by the government, Gangwar was last traced to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. His mobile phone has reportedly been switched off, and authorities are checking his movements to ascertain whether he travelled from Bengaluru to Delhi.

"All modes of communication with him have been disconnected, and he is not reachable. As of now, we have information that he was last traced to Kempegowda International Airport," Kharge told reporters.

He said authorities had received some information from the airport and were looking into it. "We are still investigating and will decide on the further course of action," the minister said.

Gangwar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, is currently serving as Director, MSME, in the Karnataka Department of Industries and Commerce. He had earlier served as controller of examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and was replaced from the post in March this year.

According to sources cited by PTI, Gangwar had reportedly booked a flight ticket to Delhi before he became unreachable.

The development comes amid scrutiny surrounding the KPSC and allegations of corruption in recruitment examinations. However, official sources said there was no confirmation at this stage linking Gangwar's reported disappearance to developments during his tenure at the commission.

Kharge said the Karnataka Cabinet had on Friday decided to recommend to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot that KPSC chairperson Shivashankarappa S Sahukar be suspended and an inquiry initiated against him.

Sahukar is facing allegations of corruption and nepotism, including allegations that his daughter was selected for a government job using a false income certificate.

The governor had suspended Sahukar on July 13 over allegations including non-disclosure of important information and misbehaviour. However, the Karnataka High Court ordered his reinstatement on August 18, observing that the governor's decision had not been taken with the aid and advice of the Cabinet.

Kharge said the state government had decided to reiterate its earlier position and advise the governor to suspend Sahukar and initiate an inquiry.

The KPSC has also come under investigation in an alleged recruitment examination scam. The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday searched premises linked to the KPSC, Sahukar, member Shanta Hosmani and others as part of a money laundering probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment examination for veterinary officers.

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