Karnataka Governor Suspends KPSC Chairman Over Daughter Job

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has suspended Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, the chairman of the state's Public Service Commission, over allegations he improperly secured government jobs for his two daughters. The suspension, ordered on July 12, 2026, followed a formal recommendation to the President of India to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for a constitutional inquiry.

Governor Gehlot directed that the commission's seniormost member assume the duties of acting chairman pending the outcome of the investigation. The Governor's Secretariat stated the suspension was necessary to ensure a fair, impartial, and uninfluenced probe while safeguarding the integrity of the recruitment body.

The controversy centers on allegations that Sahukar facilitated the selection of his daughters as Industrial Extension Officers through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), which he led. According to the official order, Sahukar failed to recuse himself or declare a conflict of interest during the recruitment process in which his direct dependents were applicants.

A key allegation involves one of Sahukar's daughters, who is accused of obtaining an income and caste certificate by...