Bengaluru, Aug 24: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has directed IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar to appear before the agency at its Bengaluru office on Tuesday morning for questioning in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) recruitment.

Following a nearly nine-hour search at Kumar’s Bengaluru residence on Monday, ED officials pasted a notice on the house directing him to appear before the agency’s office in the Ganganagar area of Bengaluru. The notice specifies the date and time for his appearance, officials confirmed.

The ED conducted the search as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of veterinary officers, in which candidates were allegedly asked to pay bribes ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh to secure appointments.

Kumar was not present at his residence when the ED team arrived. He had reportedly left Bengaluru three days earlier and travelled to Uttar Pradesh. State Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that the officer travelled there as his father was unwell.

According to sources, Kumar left his residence carrying two large bags and also took his laptop, mobile phone and other electronic devices with him. Consequently, the ED team reportedly found limited material at the residence.

The officials conducted an extensive search of the premises, checking cupboards, walls and areas beneath the floor with scanners to look for documents or other material that may have been concealed.

A diary and some records were reportedly recovered during the search. The officials also examined available bank statements and documents related to private companies allegedly entrusted with responsibilities connected with government recruitment.

Sources, however, said that most electronic devices and important documents were not found at the residence. Apart from old clothes and furniture, the team reportedly found little material of significance.

The ED team arrived at the apartment complex in three vehicles accompanied by CRPF personnel. The entrance was initially locked, and security personnel reportedly refused to allow the officials inside, stating that they had not received instructions to do so.

After the ED team contacted Kumar, the security staff allowed them into the complex. As the officer’s residence was locked, a locksmith was called to open the door. The process was reportedly videographed as part of the search procedure.

Kumar, a 2016-batch IAS officer, had served as Controller of Examinations at the KPSC until March. He was associated with conducting the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) examination and the recruitment process for veterinary officers.

The latest search comes three days after the ED searched the residence of former KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and other premises in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities.

The ED has conducted searches at multiple locations across Karnataka as part of its investigation into the alleged KPSC recruitment scam. The agency is examining documents, financial records and other material to establish the alleged flow of funds and identify those allegedly involved in the recruitment irregularities.

Bengaluru, Aug 23: An incident in which a man was hacked to death in full public view at a traffic signal near the Madiwala underpass came to light on Sunday, raising fresh concerns over the safety of residents in Bengaluru.

The victim, identified as Suhail, a resident of Mangammanapalya and a medical shop owner, was attacked by a group of assailants as he was on his way from Madiwala towards Koramangala on Saturday night.

The incident occurred late at night when Suhail had stopped his motorcycle amid a traffic jam on the main road. Four men who arrived on two motorcycles allegedly attacked him with swords before fleeing the spot. Suhail suffered severe blood loss and died at the scene.

Police suspect that the murder could be an act of revenge linked to an earlier murder case in Bandepalya.

On January 13, a man named Shabbir was murdered in Bandepalya, and Suhail’s brothers Kaleem, Nazir and another brother were allegedly involved in that case. Investigators suspect that Suhail may have been targeted in retaliation, despite having no connection with the Shabbir murder case.

Police sources said Suhail had no criminal background and was not an accused in the earlier case. His murder is therefore suspected to have been driven by hostility towards his brothers.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East) Mohammad Sujeetha, CCB DCP Haribabu and Joint Commissioner of Police Ramesh Banoth visited the crime scene and inspected the spot.

Following the murder, Suhail’s younger brother Nazir reportedly arrived at the scene and vowed revenge. He said Suhail was not merely his elder brother but was like a father to him, and warned that he would not spare those responsible for his killing.

Police suspect that the assailants had been planning the murder for several days and had been closely monitoring Suhail’s movements. According to preliminary information, the attackers allegedly followed him and executed a pre-planned attack while he was travelling on his motorcycle.

After the murder, the assailants reportedly abandoned the weapons at the scene and escaped.

Three special teams have been formed to track down the suspects. Police have seized the CCTV DVR from the area and are examining footage to identify the attackers and trace their movements before and after the crime.

Investigators are also trying to establish why Suhail, who lived in Mangammanapalya and operated a medical shop in Bommanahalli, travelled towards Madiwala. Police are examining who last contacted him before he left the medical shop and other details surrounding his movements.

The brazen murder in a busy public area has triggered concerns over safety in the city, particularly as the attackers allegedly assaulted the victim in front of members of the public before fleeing the scene. Police are continuing their investigation to establish the exact motive and identify all those involved.

When asked whether any accused have been arrested in connection with the case, DCP South East Mohammad Sujeetha declined to comment. Further investigation is on.

Shillong, Aug 23: Security was intensified across Shillong as the Army and Rapid Action Force (RAF) conducted a flag march in the Meghalaya capital following violence during a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) rally on August 19, officials said.

The security buildup came on Saturday amid heightened tensions after vehicles carrying tourists from Assam were allegedly attacked during a KSU black-flag protest.

Several vehicles were vandalised, with their windows and windshields smashed, while some tourists were reportedly injured.

Public property was also damaged during the violence.

The Centre has approved the deployment of five companies of central armed forces in Meghalaya to assist the state police in maintaining law and order amid the prevailing situation.

Meanwhile, Assam Border Protection and Development Minister Atul Bora and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar held a high-level meeting with senior officials of both states in Guwahati on Saturday to assess the situation and discuss steps to prevent further escalation.

The meeting came against the backdrop of tensions following the Shillong violence and protests at Jorabat, the key entry point between Assam and Meghalaya.

Bora termed the Shillong incident “unwarranted and unfortunate” and said Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had acted promptly after the violence.

He said Assam CM Sarma spoke to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who subsequently asked Dhar to engage with Assam and explore measures to restore peace and ensure smooth movement between the neighbouring states.

Bora appealed to the people in both states to maintain peace and harmony, stressing the longstanding ties between Assam and Meghalaya.

The Shillong incident triggered protests by motor vehicle workers’ unions in Assam.

Demonstrations at Jorabat began the following day, with protesters stopping Meghalaya-registered vehicles from entering Assam and, in some cases, forcing them to turn back.

The protests continued for a third day on Friday, with demonstrators seeking compensation for vehicles damaged in Shillong and an apology from the authorities.

Heavy deployment of police and reserve personnel was made at Jorabat to prevent any fresh violence.

Three senior KSU office-bearers — president Raymond Kharjana, vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar — were arrested late Wednesday in connection with the violence.

The situation has also prompted sharper reactions in Assam.

The Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) called for an economic blockade and warned of action against Meghalaya residents in Assam if attacks on Assamese people in Shillong continued.

With additional security forces deployed in Shillong and police maintaining a strong presence at Jorabat, authorities in both states are now working to contain tensions, prevent retaliatory incidents and ensure uninterrupted movement of people and vehicles.