KPSC Chairman Suspended Amid Illegal Recruitment Allegations

The Karnataka Governor, Thaawarchand Gehlot, has suspended the Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process. The suspension stems from reports that the chairman facilitated the illegal selection of his own two daughters for government positions as Industrial Extension Officers. In an immediate response to the scandal, the Governor has ordered the senior-most member of the Commission to assume the chairman's duties to ensure the continuity of administrative operations while a fair investigation is conducted.

Investigations into the KPSC recruitment row suggest that the chairman failed to declare a conflict of interest while his daughters were participating in the competitive examination process. Further evidence brought to light claims that one of his daughters allegedly suppressed family income data to qualify for OBC reservation benefits, despite having a father in a high-ranking position. Government orders dating back to 2002 specifically prohibit direct dependants of the KPSC chairman from claiming backward-class quota reservations, and authorities allege that the chairman and his daughter deliberately bypassed these regulations to secure undue professional advantages.

To maintain the integrity of the recruitment system, the Governor has recommended that the President of India formally refer the case to the Supreme Court for an inquiry under Article 317(1) of the Constitution. This constitutional provision governs the removal and investigation of members of public service commissions. As the state government moves to probe these irregularities, the case is expected to trigger broader reforms within the KPSC. The aim is to restore public trust in one of Karnataka's most crucial administrative bodies, ensuring that all future selections are free from nepotism and fully compliant with transparent standards.