The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which has initiated investigations into the Karnataka Public Service Commission scam, is now looking for people who are willing to testify against the accused.
Even though the CID officials handling the case are flooded with calls and visitors who are complaining about alleged irregularities, the investigating agency needs concrete information from persons who paid a bribe to the accused. Allaying fears that such people too would be indicted, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, CID, Soumendu Mukherjee, who is heading the investigation, said: “As the case has been booked under Prevention of Corruption Act, persons who testify will enjoy immunity under provisions of the law.”
He also promised security to anyone coming forward with information.
“The complaints we are receiving now are mostly from persons who attended various exams and are alleging irregularities in the evaluation, awarding marks and other corrupt practices. But, we have not got any valid information about demand for bribe by the accused and its subsequent payment by the complainant, which could be used as corroborative evidence in the case,” a senior police officer who is part of the investigating team said.
Tough task
CID sleuths now face the uphill task of verifying the documents confiscated in the last series of raids conducted on the residences and offices of the accused.
“We are also checking laptops, desktops, mobile phones, email IDs and hard disks, and have sent gadgets for digital analysis to retrieve data,” Mr. Mukherjee said.