Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman Over ‘Illegal Selection Of His 2 Daughters As Industrial Officers’

Published 13 July 2026 · politics

Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman Over ‘Illegal Selection Of His 2 Daughters As Industrial Officers’ Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 13, 2026, 12:16

Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman Over ‘Illegal Selection Of His 2 Daughters As Industrial Officers’ Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 13, 2026, 12:16 IST Raj Bhavan said the complaints alleged that Shivashankarappa "facilitated illegal selection of 2 two daughters to the posts of Industrial Extension Officer in an unlawful manner" Rapid Read Shivashankarappa S Sahukar. (ANI) Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has 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. Acting on complaints received against the KPSC Chairman, 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. According to a press release issued by Raj Bhavan, the complaints alleged that Shivashankarappa “facilitated illegal selection of his two daughters to the posts of Industrial Extension Officer in an unlawful manner." The Governor’s Secretariat said it found that the Chairman failed to recuse himself or formally declare a conflict of interest despite his direct dependants participating in the KPSC recruitment process.

The press release further states that one of the Chairman’s daughters obtained an income and caste certificate declaring the family’s annual income as just ₹40,000, allegedly to claim OBC reservation and creamy layer exemption. “These pieces of evidence indicate that the Chairman’s daughter has claimed OBC reservation and creamy layer exemption by deliberate suppression of facts and using manipulated lower-income declarations despite having income more than the prescribed limit," the release states. Raj Bhavan also cited a government order dated March 30, 2002, which states that children of the Chairman of a Public Service Commission are not eligible to claim reservation under the backward classes quota in Karnataka. Despite this restriction, the release alleges that the Chairman and his daughter suppressed vital information to obtain undue benefits. “The income and property returns submitted by the Chairman and other supporting records point a finger at the Chairman with some certainty.

It amounts to misbehaviour in the given facts and circumstances of the case," the Governor’s Secretariat said. To ensure a fair, impartial and uninfluenced investigation, the Governor has placed Shivashankarappa under suspension until further orders from the President’s Office. In the interim, the Governor has directed that the next senior-most member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission will function as the Acting Chairman until further orders. The action follows widespread outrage and complaints over the alleged irregular appointments, making it one of the most significant actions taken against the head of the constitutional recruitment body in Karnataka. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R...