Bengaluru: In an unprecedented move, governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Monday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairperson Shivashankarappa S Sahukar pending an inquiry into allegations of misconduct linked to the recruitment of his two daughters through the commission’s selection process.The governor has also recommended that the President refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution to inquire into the allegations.Sahukar is accused of facilitating the appointment of his two daughters as industrial extension officers by allegedly using manipulated caste and income certificates. He has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.According to a statement issued by Lok Bhavan, Sahukar neither recused himself from the recruitment process nor disclosed a conflict of interest when his daughters participated in the recruitment process. It is alleged that his younger daughter obtained caste and income certificates by declaring the family’s annual income as Rs 40,000 to claim reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and exemption from the creamy layer criteria.“This indicates deliberate suppression of facts and using manipulated lower income declarations in spite of having income more than the prescribed limit and knowing that her father is working as Chairman of the commission,” the note said.Lok Bhavan said it had received complaints that Sahukar facilitated the selection of his daughters. It also pointed out that under a Karnataka govt order issued on March 30, 2002, children of a public service commission chairperson are not eligible to claim reservation under the backward classes quota.The governor’s Secretariat added that the allegations reflected either the absence of administrative oversight or deliberate blindness by the head of the commission.Following the suspension, senior-most KPSC member Dr B Prabhudeva has taken charge as interim chairperson.Chief minister D K Shivakumar said the governor’s decision was his prerogative.The commission had earlier invoked Rule 20 of the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, which provides for action, including debarment and criminal proceedings, against candidates found guilty of submitting fabricated documents, suppressing material information or making false statements.On July 10, the Karnataka high court stayed a June 19 resolution passed by KPSC members seeking Sahukar’s resignation on moral grounds over his daughter’s selection.The controversy is the latest setback for KPSC, which has repeatedly faced allegations of nepotism, corruption and recruitment irregularities over the past two decades.
