KPSC Chairman Suspended Over Unlawful Selection of Daughters
Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has suspended Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), over allegations that he facilitated the unlawful selection of his two daughters for government posts and failed to disclose a conflict of interest.
A statement from Lok Bhavan, the Governor's office, said Sahukar “failed to recuse himself or formally declare a conflict of interest while his dependents participated in the KPSC selection process.”
According to complaints received by the Governor, Sahukar facilitated the illegal selection of his daughters to the posts of Industrial Extension Officer. The Governor's statement further noted that one of the daughters had obtained income and caste certificates declaring a family income of Rs 40,000 per annum, allegedly suppressing facts and using manipulated lower-income declarations despite having income above the prescribed limit. The daughter also claimed OBC reservation and Creamy Layer exemption, which the Governor said was based on deliberate suppression of facts, knowing that her father was the Chairman of the Commission.
The suspension order comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the KPSC's functioning. The Governor's action is based on established rules requiring public officials to avoid conflicts of interest in recruitment processes.
