Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot suspended Public Service Commission Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar on July 13, 2026 [1].
The suspension targets the head of the state's primary recruitment body, raising questions about the integrity of civil service appointments and the potential for high-level corruption within the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
Sahukar is accused of facilitating the illegal selection of two of his daughters [2] for positions as Industrial Extension Officers [1]. According to an official statement from Karnataka Lok Bhavan, Sahukar "failed to recuse himself or formally declare a conflict of interest while his dependents participated in the KPSC selection process" [3].
Further allegations suggest a breach of reservation protocols. Reports indicate that one daughter may have used a false income declaration to secure benefits reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) [2]. This claim suggests the misuse of social welfare quotas to benefit the children of a high-ranking official.
Governor Gehlot has taken the rare step of recommending a higher judicial review of the matter. "The Governor recommended to the President that the matter be referred to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution for an inquiry into the allegations," Gehlot said [1].
The move has drawn attention from national leaders. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "We must ensure a thorough, high‑level investigation into these serious allegations of nepotism and misconduct" [4].
Under Article 317(1) of the Indian Constitution, the removal or suspension of certain high-ranking officials requires specific procedures to ensure the independence of the commission. The referral to the Supreme Court indicates the gravity of the alleged misconduct and the need for an impartial adjudication process to determine if Sahukar's actions constitute a legal breach of office.
“"Failed to recuse himself or formally declare a conflict of interest while his dependents participated in the KPSC selection process."”
The suspension of a KPSC chairman and the subsequent referral to the Supreme Court highlight a significant breakdown in the state's meritocratic recruitment system. By invoking Article 317(1), the Governor is treating the case as a constitutional matter rather than a simple administrative error, signaling that the integrity of the entire commission's selection process may be compromised.
