Karnataka Governor suspends KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar over daughters selection row
Mangalore Today News Network
Bengaluru, Jul 13, 2026: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar over allegations that he facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers.
The Governor has 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.
In his order, the Governor directed the senior-most member of the commission to discharge the functions of the KPSC Chairman until further orders, stating that the suspension was necessary to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
According to the Governor’s Secretariat, several complaints had been received seeking action against Sahukar for allegedly helping his daughters secure appointments unlawfully.
The controversy intensified after Union Minister Pralhad Joshi wrote to Governor Gehlot and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, demanding a transparent probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for the posts of Industrial Extension Officers.
On July 4, KPSC members unanimously decided to keep Sahukar away from commission meetings and examination-related work pending an inquiry into the allegations.
According to the Governor’s order, one of Sahukar’s daughters allegedly obtained an income and caste certificate by declaring the family’s annual income as Rs 40,000 and claimed reservation benefits under the OBC category by suppressing facts, despite her father serving as KPSC Chairman.
Recently, the Vidhana Soudha police registered an FIR against Sahukar’s daughter, Suma S. Sahukar, on charges of forgery and cheating for allegedly submitting a false income certificate while applying for the government post under the 3B reservation category.
The order further noted that a government directive issued on March 30, 2002, prohibits children of the chairman of a Public Service Commission from claiming reservation under the backward classes quota in Karnataka.
The Governor’s Secretariat stated that the income and property returns submitted by Sahukar, along with other records, indicated possible misconduct, warranting action under Article 317(1) of the Constitution.
Sahukar has been placed under suspension until further orders from the President of India to ensure a fair, impartial and uninfluenced investigation and to safeguard the integrity and credibility of the KPSC.