Gyanendra Kumar contacts Karnataka government after family emergency

Gyanendra Kumar, the IAS officer who could not be reached for several days, is safe and has re-established communication with the Karnataka government, Priyank Kharge said on Saturday.

Kharge said Kumar had taken leave and flown from Bengaluru to his hometown because of a family emergency. His phone being unreachable led to concern over his absence, the minister said.

Kumar was the Karnataka Public Service Commission’s controller of examinations until March. He had also overseen vigilance operations during veterinary officer recruitment examinations.

His absence drew attention after Enforcement Directorate raids at 21 locations linked to KPSC officials and members over money-laundering allegations connected to the examination process. The state cabinet has also advised the governor to suspend KPSC chairperson Shivashankarappa S Sahukar in connection with corruption charges.

Earlier, Kharge said Kumar was last seen at Kempegowda International Airport and that officials were looking into his whereabouts. He now says Kumar is in contact with the government.