SC Stays SIT Probe KPSC: The Supreme Court of India has suspended the order of the Karnataka High Court to carry out a fresh investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 KPSC Veterinary Officer posts by a new set-up of the Special Investigation Team (SIT). On hearing the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the State of Karnataka against the High Court's order dated September 21, a bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi suspended the SIT investigation and issued notice to the respondents on or before October 12, 2026.
Counsel for the Karnataka government, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, stated that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had made considerable progress in its investigation, including arrest and seizure of vital evidence, and conducting a de novo inquiry now would defeat its purpose and interfere in the ongoing litigation process. Moreover, the state claimed that the order of the High Court for setting up an SIT by naming some particular police officers without consulting the executive authority was wrong. In defense of the High Court's order, Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar pointed out that the SIT was formed by appointing only state officers.
SC Stay Order on KPSC SIT Probe: Key Highlights
Below are the Key Highlights of the SC Stay Order on KPSC SIT Probe:
|
Parameter |
Case Details & Legal Status |
|
Case Title |
State of Karnataka v. Raj Mohammed [SLP (Crl) Nos. 18775-18779 of 2026] |
|
Bench |
Justice Manoj Misra & Justice Vijay Bishnoi |
|
Impugned Order |
Karnataka High Court order (Sept 21, 2026) forming SIT & ordering a de novo probe |
|
State Counsel |
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal |
|
Respondent Counsel |
Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar |
|
Interim Relief |
Stay on High Court SIT setup and fresh probe directives |
|
Next Hearing Date |
October 12, 2026 (State to submit sealed-cover objections) |
Overview of State Arguments & Legal Contention
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Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of the Karnataka State, said the CID has made significant progress in investigating the January 2026 paper leak and manipulation of the shortlist.
Important arrests have been made of individuals like the former KPSC Controller of Examination Gyanendra Kumar, besides recovery of important OMR sheets and digital evidence.
It is the submission of the State that to order another investigation when the process is nearing completion will upset the current custodial interrogation, charge sheet filing, and ongoing ED proceedings for money laundering.
Karnataka government objected to the High Court’s direct appointment of certain police officers in the SIT saying it is an executive assignment, not a judicial one.
However, the Apex Court allowed the Karnataka government to file its objections in a sealed cover regarding the SIT members appointed by the High Court till October 12.
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