BENGALURU: Karnataka governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar over allegations that he facilitated the illegal appointment of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers.The governor also recommended to the President of India that the matter be referred to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution for an inquiry into the allegations.Pending the outcome of the proceedings, Gehlot directed the senior-most member of the KPSC to discharge the chairman’s functions until further orders, saying the suspension was necessary to ensure a fair, impartial and uninfluenced investigation.In it’s press note, the Governor’s Secretariat said it had received complaints seeking action against Sahukar for allegedly facilitating the unlawful selection of his daughters during the recruitment process.It alleged that Sahukar neither recused himself nor formally declared a conflict of interest despite his daughters being candidates in the recruitment conducted by the commission he headed.The order further alleged that one of his daughters secured an income and caste certificate by declaring the family’s annual income as Rs 40,000 and claimed OBC reservation and creamy layer exemption by suppressing material facts, even though her father was serving as KPSC chairman.It noted that a Karnataka government order dated March 30, 2002, bars children of the chairman of a Public Service Commission from availing reservation under the state’s backward classes quota. The order alleged that Sahukar and his daughter concealed this information to obtain undue benefits during the recruitment process.According to the Governor’s Secretariat, the chairman’s income and property returns, along with other records examined, prima facie pointed to misconduct warranting action under Article 317(1) of the Constitution.“The Hon’ble Governor has recommended to the President of India to make reference to the Supreme Court of India under Article 317(1) of the Constitution of India for necessary enquiry into the allegations made against Sri Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, Chairman, Karnataka Public Service Commission,” the order stated.It added that Sahukar would remain under suspension until further orders from the President to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the KPSC while ensuring that the inquiry proceeds without influence.
