Who Is Divya Hagaragi? BJP Leader, 4 Others Arrested From Pune In PSI Exam Scam

Karnataka BJP leader Divya Hagaragi and four other members were arrested by the Crime Investigation Department on April 29 in a scam pertaining to the recruitment of the Police sub-inspector. Hagaragi had been reportedly absconding for a fortnight since the scam was unearthed. She was arrested from Pune and brought to Kalaburgi.

The opposition ministers of Karnataka had been levelling accusations against the BJP that they were intervening in the investigation and safeguarding the prime accused in the scam, Divya since she is a BJP leader. Basavaraj Bommai-led Karnataka government received a huge backlash.

Speaking about the arrests, State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Friday, April 29, said, “With the arrest of Divya it is clear that the government will ensure a free and fair investigation into the case. No one will be spared as far as PSI scam is concerned.”

The PSI scam case is related to the irregularities in the appointment of police sub-inspectors in Karnataka. Opposition ministers had alleged that there was a huge scam in the recruitment of more than 545 candidates for the post of sub-inspector in Kalaburagi. MLA and former Minister Priyank Kharge had alleged that the Home Minister Araga and other officials were also involved.

Earlier, this week, the police had arrested another accused Rudragowda Patil from Maharashtra in the case.

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A report said that Divya Hagaragi’s arrest was possible because an official of Shahbad Municipal Corporation was arrested on April 28. They were quoted saying that Patil was in touch with one of the accomplices of Hagaragi.

Who Is Divya Hagaragi?

Divya Hagaragi is a BJP leader from Karnataka’s Kalaburagi region, she predominantly works there and is married to another political leader Rajesh Hagaragi. Divya reportedly runs a school named Gyan Jyoti English Medium School in Kalaburagi in Karnataka. The answer sheets for the PSI exam were allegedly rigged at the school.

Hagaragi had been absconding since the scam came to light a fortnight ago, and the ruling BJP suffered a setback after her photos with BJP leaders, especially Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, surfaced on social media.

The BJP leaders have distanced themselves from Divya who mentions that she is a BJP worker on her social media. She has uploaded pictures of herself alongside prominent figures of the Karnataka BJP including former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. According to social media, she joined BJP in 1999.

A Karnataka Minister was quoted saying by a publication that Divya Hagaragi had been a part of the BJP for a little while. The Minister had expressed disdain that many ministers including Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar had visited her in Kalaburagi.