KPSC chief suspended by Governor under Article 317 (2)
Bengaluru, Aug 25 (IANS) Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has suspended the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar under Article 317(2) of the Constitution of India, following an order of the Karnataka High Court.
According to a press release issued by the Karnataka Governor’s Secretariat on Tuesday, the suspension was ordered based on the aid and advice of the State Cabinet dated August 21.
The Governor’s decision also comes in accordance with the order of the Karnataka High Court in a case dated August 18.
Shivashankarappa Sahukar, who is serving as Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission, has been suspended until further orders from the President Droupadi Murmu.
The press statement also said that the next senior-most member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission has been directed to discharge the functions of the Chairman until further orders.
The suspension comes amid scrutiny surrounding the functioning of the KPSC and ongoing developments related to allegations concerning the recruitment process.
The Governor’s Secretariat issued the order through R. Prabhu Shankar, Special Secretary to the Governor.
It can be noted that Sahukar is accused of abusing his power to illegally facilitate the selection of his two daughters (including Suma Sahukar) as Industrial Extension Officers through the KPSC.
One daughter allegedly provided a manipulated low-income and caste certificate declaring the family’s annual income as Rs 40,000 to claim OBC reservation benefits, while concealing her father’s high-profile post.
Additional complaints emerged accusing the family of acquiring massive commercial and agricultural properties disproportionate to their known income.
Governor Gehlot first suspended Sahukar under Article 317(1) of the Constitution and recommended a Supreme Court inquiry via President Murmu.
The Karnataka High Court had set aside this initial suspension order, saying that the action lacked formal “aid and advice” from the state Cabinet, temporarily reinstating Sahukar.
However, Karnataka Cabinet reconvened and formally resolved to recommend Sahukar’s suspension and an inquiry.
Acting on the State Cabinet’s formal recommendation, the Governor issued a fresh suspension order under Article 317(2) of the Constitution to hold until further orders from the President.
–IANS
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