Karnataka MSME Director Not Missing, Home Minister Clarifies

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday dispelled concerns over the whereabouts of IAS officer Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, the Director of MSME under the Department of Industries and Commerce, confirming that the officer is in his native Uttar Pradesh due to a family emergency.

Gangwar had been unreachable since August 20, prompting initial reports that he was missing. Media reports also indicated he had booked a flight to Delhi. However, Kharge clarified that the absence was due to his father's health crisis and had nothing to do with recent developments at the state administration.

"There was some miscommunication. It has nothing to do with ED raids," Kharge told reporters. "When you asked me this morning, we did not have much information, and I told you that he had been unavailable for contact for the last couple of days."

Kharge said Gangwar had explicitly denied any link between his absence and the Enforcement Directorate's recent searches at the Karnataka Public Service Commission. The officer has also indicated his willingness to participate in any inquiry if required, the Home Minister added.

The clarification comes as a relief to state administration officials, putting to rest speculation about the officer's sudden unavailability and its potential connection to ongoing investigations.