Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman Over Nepotism Allegations

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot suspended the Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, on July 13, 2026. The suspension follows allegations that Sahukar facilitated the appointment of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers through the commission he oversaw.

Investigations revealed that one daughter, Suma S. Sahukar, allegedly secured a creamy layer exemption under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category by declaring a family income of ₹40,000, despite her father earning a monthly salary of ₹2.25 lakh. This action allegedly violated a March 2002 government order prohibiting children of PSC chairmen from claiming backward classes quotas. The Governor's Secretariat noted that Sahukar failed to recuse himself or declare a conflict of interest during the recruitment process, citing prima facie evidence of misbehaviour.

Prior to the suspension, Vidhana Soudha police filed a first information report against Suma S. Sahukar on July 10. Acting under Article 317(1) of the Constitution, Gehlot recommended that the President of India refer the case to the Supreme Court of India for a formal inquiry. Pending orders from the President, the senior-most member of the KPSC will discharge the chairman's duties to ensure the integrity of the recruitment body.