Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairperson Over Alleged Misconduct in Daughters' Selection
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairperson Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar pending an inquiry into allegations of misconduct. The Governor has also recommended to the President of India that a reference be made to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution for a formal inquiry into the matter.
According to a statement from Karnataka Lok Bhavan on July 13, the suspension is intended to ensure a fair, impartial and uninfluenced investigation while protecting the integrity and credibility of KPSC. The senior-most member of the Commission will function as Acting Chairperson until further orders from the President.
The allegations relate to the alleged illegal selection of Sahukar's two daughters through the KPSC recruitment process. An FIR was registered on July 10 by Vidhana Soudha police against Suma S. Sahukar, one of the daughters, for allegedly claiming reservation benefits under the 3B category. She had submitted an Income and Asset Certificate declaring her family's annual income as ₹40,000 to facilitate selection for the post of Junior Engineer (Civil) in the Department of Industries & Commerce in March 2024.
The FIR was based on a complaint from KPSC after verification revealed the income certificate was false. During the selection process, Sahukar was the Chairperson of KPSC drawing a monthly salary of ₹2.25 lakh apart from other allowances.
On July 10, the High Court of Karnataka stayed a resolution passed by other KPSC members on June 19 asking Sahukar to resign on moral grounds over his daughter's alleged illegal selection.
The Governor's Secretariat stated that it had received complaints that the Chairperson facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters to posts of Industrial Extension Officers. It noted that Sahukar failed to recuse himself or formally declare a conflict of interest while his direct dependents participated in the KPSC recruitment process.
Further, one of his daughters obtained an income and caste certificate declaring the family's annual income as ₹40,000 and claimed OBC reservation and creamy layer exemption despite the family's income allegedly exceeding the prescribed limit. Under a Karnataka government order dated March 30, 2002, children of the Chairperson of a Public Service Commission are not eligible to claim reservation under the backward classes quota.
The Governor's Secretariat stated that the alleged suppression of material facts, supported by Sahukar's income and property returns and other records, amounted to 'misbehaviour' warranting action under the Constitution.
