Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar has been suspended by Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot following allegations that he improperly influenced the recruitment process to secure government jobs for his two daughters.

The Governor has also recommended that the President refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution for a formal inquiry into the allegations.

Pending the outcome, the Commission's senior-most member has been asked to discharge the duties of the chairman.

According to the Governor's order, the suspension was considered necessary to ensure that the investigation remains fair, independent, and free from any influence.

The controversy stems from complaints alleging that Sahukar's two daughters were selected as Industrial Extension Officers while he was serving as KPSC chairman.

The order claims he neither disclosed his conflict of interest nor stepped aside from matters connected to the recruitment process, despite his immediate family members being applicants.

The Governor's Secretariat has also accused one of Sahukar's daughters of obtaining an income and caste certificate by allegedly declaring the family's annual income as just ₹40,000.

The order alleges that she claimed benefits available to Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates, including exemption from the creamy layer, by concealing relevant facts, even though her father held the constitutional post of KPSC chairman.

It further points to a Karnataka government order issued on March 30, 2002, which bars children of a Public Service Commission chairman from availing reservation under the state's backward classes quota.

The order alleges that this information was withheld to obtain an unfair advantage during recruitment.

The Governor's Secretariat said income and asset declarations submitted by Sahukar, along with other records examined, indicated prima facie misconduct serious enough to warrant proceedings under Article 317(1).

It added that the suspension will remain in force until the President issues further directions, with the aim of safeguarding the credibility of the Commission and ensuring an impartial investigation.