Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Tuesday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar on the aid and advice of the state Cabinet over charges of corruption and large-scale irregularities. It is the second time Sahukar has been suspended.
The Governor had on July 13 suspended Sahukar, but the Karnataka High Court set aside the order on the grounds that the action lacked the 'aid and advice of the state Cabinet'.
On August 21, the state Cabinet decided to recommend that the Governor suspend Sahukar. Following the Cabinet's recommendation, the Governor suspended him under Article 317 (2) of the Constitution until further orders from the President of India.
“As per the order of the Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka dated August 18, Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka, on the aid and advice of the State Cabinet on August 21 has suspended Shivashankarappa S Sahukar, Chairman, Karnataka Public Service Commission, under Article 317 (2) of the Constitution of India until further orders by the Hon'ble President of India,” Special Secretary to the Governor Prabhu Shankar said in a statement.
The next senior-most member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission will act as the chairman until further orders, the statement said.
The suspension followed allegations that Sahukar had facilitated the alleged illegal selection of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers. Large-scale irregularities were also alleged in the recruitment of veterinary doctors.
