Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Monday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar and recommended that the President of India refer allegations of misconduct against him to the Supreme Court for a probe under Article 317 (1) of the Constitution.
“The Governor recommended to the President of India to refer to the Supreme Court of India under Article 317(1) of the Constitution of India to conduct necessary investigation into the allegations leveled against Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, Chairman, Karnataka Public Service Commission,” the order said.
The move is the first of its kind in Karnataka against a KPSC president or member and comes after allegations surrounding the recruitment of Sahukar’s two daughters through the committee.
Pending the outcome of the proceedings, the governor directed the most senior member of the commission to assume the responsibilities of chair, saying the move was necessary to preserve the integrity of the CPSC and allow for an impartial investigation.
Sahukar was appointed Chairman on April 3, 2021, after serving as a member of the committee from September 2019. He succeeds former IAS officer Shadakshari Swamy, who retired on the same day. The appointment was made by the then Governor Vajubhai Vala.
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According to the governor’s secretariat, the complaints alleged that Sahukar facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as industrial extension employees while he headed the committee responsible for recruitment.
He did not withdraw from the process and did not formally disclose a conflict of interest even though his daughters were candidates, the secretariat said.
She further alleged that one of his daughters obtained an income and caste certificate showing the annual income of the family $40,000 and demanding reservation under Other Backward Classes category besides creamy layer exemption by concealing material facts.
The secretariat said the Karnataka government order dated March 30, 2002 bars the children of the Public Service Commission chairman from availing reservation under backward classes quota in the state and alleged that this restriction was concealed to secure undue benefit during recruitment.
After examining the President’s income, property revenues and other records, the Governor’s Secretariat said it found prima facie material indicating misconduct warranting action under Section 317(1) of the Constitution.
“To ensure a fair, impartial and unaffected investigation while protecting the integrity and credibility of KPSC, the Governor has placed the President on suspension until further orders from the Office of the President,” a statement issued by the Karnataka Lok Bhavan said.
The order said that Sahukar will remain under suspension until further directions from the President.
The governor’s action comes in the wake of a First Information Report (FIR) registered by Vidhana Sodha police on July 10 against Sahukar’s daughter, Soma S. Sahukar, on allegations that she obtained reservation benefits under category 3B by submitting income and assets certificate declaring the annual income of the family $40,000 to get selection as Junior Engineer (Civil) in Department of Industry and Commerce in March 2024.
The FIR was lodged following a complaint from KPSC.
According to investigators, the verification found that the income certificate was fake because Sahukar was serving as Chairman of KPSC during the recruitment process and was receiving a monthly salary of Rs. $2.25 lakh besides other allowances.
Also on July 10, the Karnataka High Court stayed a June 19 resolution by other KPSC members calling on Sahukar to resign, and take moral responsibility for the alleged illegal selection of his daughter while he headed the committee.
