ADGP Amruth Pal
BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the massive illegalities in the Karnataka Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment process, has moved decisively against key accused, freezing assets worth Rs 1.53 crore. Acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED on January 23, 2026, provisionally attached properties belonging to former ADGP Amruth Paul and Head Constable Sridhar H. in connection with the irregularities.
Background of the scam
The controversy traces back to the 2021-22 recruitment for 545 PSI vacancies in Karnataka. Soon after the examination, allegations of widespread malpractice surfaced, prompting complaints at Bengaluru’s Highgrounds Police Station and the Crime Investigation Department (CID). Following these FIRs, the ED launched a detailed investigation into financial irregularities, corruption, and manipulation linked to the recruitment process.
Preliminary findings from the probe have exposed a shocking level of institutional involvement. According to sources, Amruth Paul, then the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in the recruitment division, played a central role in orchestrating the manipulation. He allegedly handed over the keys of the strong room, where OMR answer sheets were stored, to DYSP Shantakumar, enabling unauthorised access to the papers. This access facilitated the selection of ineligible candidates by tampering with OMR sheets.
Large-scale bribery network
The ED report reveals that the accused extracted bribes ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 70 lakh per candidate. This money was transferred in multiple phases through informal channels, popularly known as ‘Hand Loans.’ The illicit funds were reportedly used to purchase residential properties, which have now been provisionally attached by the ED as part of the ongoing investigation.
ED officials have already filed prosecution complaints in court, and the judicial process is underway to examine the financial transactions as offences under the PMLA. The attached assets include several residential properties owned by Amruth Paul and Sridhar, marking the first significant step in recovering ill-got wealth accumulated from the scam.
Investigations are ongoing, and officials suggest that the net could widen to include other influential figures who allegedly facilitated or benefited from the illegal recruitment process. With these developments, the case has sent shockwaves across the Karnataka Police Department, raising questions about transparency and accountability in law enforcement recruitment.
The ED has emphasised that it is closely monitoring all financial transactions linked to the case and may take action against additional beneficiaries once evidence is verified. The high-profile nature of the probe underscores the government’s focus on curbing corruption and ensuring that law enforcement appointments are free from malpractice.
The PSI recruitment scandal, already a matter of public outrage, now faces renewed scrutiny as the ED intensifies its probe into the nexus of corruption and wealth accumulation among senior police officials.
