BJP accuses Congress, Rahul Gandhi of double standards over alleged paper leak in Karnataka

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BJP National Spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra. File | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday (October 1, 2026) accused the Congress party and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of double standards for remaining silent over alleged corruption and a paper leak in Karnataka.

At a press conference, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra raised the issue of the paper leak in the Veterinary Officers Recruitment Examination held on January 8 and 9, 2026, for 400 posts. 

Karnataka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Enforcement Directorate alleged that the then Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Controller of Examinations and IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar helped leak the paper to a middleman.

Around 1,400 candidates appeared for the examination, and 329 candidates were selected. Investigators alleged that at least 11 candidates paid a total of ₹1.52 crore to access the leaked examination material.

Mr. Patra also raised questions regarding a diamond necklace worth ₹22 lakh allegedly purchased by the IAS officer using payoffs linked to the paper leak.

“Rahul Gandhi should also tell the truth about the necklace. Who has the ₹22-lakh necklace? Who was it gifted to and when was it gifted?” Mr. Patra asked.

On September 21, the Karnataka High Court directed the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the examination. Subsequently, the Karnataka government approved a Special Leave Petition to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

Mr. Patra questioned the Congress government’s decision to challenge the High Court directive, asking why the party remains silent over controversies in States where it is in power while demanding investigations in BJP-ruled States.

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