Karnataka governor suspends KPSC chief over daughters' recruitment row

BENGALURU: Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Monday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairperson Shivashankarappa S Sahukar over the controversy surrounding the appointment of his daughters as industrial extension officers and referred his impeachment to the President. The action comes amid allegations that Sahukar misused his position during the recruitment process in which his daughters were candidates, triggering a political storm and raising questions over the integrity of the state's premier recruitment agency. The controversy gained traction after Union minister Pralhad Joshi wrote to Governor Gehlot and chief minister DK Shivakumar seeking a high-level, impartial probe into the alleged irregularities.

Joshi alleged that Sahukar participated in the recruitment process despite a clear conflict of interest and even signed the final selection proceedings involving his daughters. He also questioned the eligibility of one of Sahukar's daughters under the reservation category, alleging that incorrect information may have been furnished to claim reservation benefits. Joshi argued that if proven, the alleged irregularities would amount to a grave injustice to deserving candidates and undermine public faith in merit-based recruitment.

The allegations were backed by a report submitted by the KPSC secretary to the state government, which reportedly flagged irregularities in the recruitment process. On July 4, KPSC members passed a resolution seeking action against Sahukar and decided to keep him away from commission meetings and examination-related work, citing concerns over the credibility of the institution. They also recommended that the state government initiate proceedings against him. Sahukar, however, denied any wrongdoing and, in a letter to the chief secretary earlier this month, defended his role in the recruitment process, maintaining that he had not influenced the selection of his daughters. On July 11, the Karnataka high court granted Sahukar interim relief by staying a June 19 resolution passed by KPSC members seeking his resignation over the nepotism allegations.