KPSC Chairman Suspension Case Reaches Karnataka High Court Again

The legal dispute surrounding Karnataka Public Service Commission chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar has returned to the Karnataka High Court after an appeal was filed against the earlier order cancelling his suspension.

The appeal has been filed on behalf of the Governor through his Special Secretary. The petition challenges the decision of a single judge bench, which had earlier set aside the Governor’s order suspending Sahukar.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hema Lekha heard the appeal. The bench has issued notices to Shivashankarappa Sahukar and the Karnataka Public Service Commission and adjourned the matter for further proceedings.

The Governor’s side has argued that the suspension was legally justified and that the action received subsequent approval from the Chief Minister and the state cabinet. According to the appeal, the Chief Minister gave post facto approval on July 16, 2026, followed by approval from the state cabinet on July 19.

The petition maintains that immediate action was considered necessary to protect the dignity of the KPSC, which is a constitutional body, and to maintain public confidence in the institution.

The dispute has its roots in allegations linked to the recruitment process for Industrial Extension Officer posts under the Department of Commerce and Industries. Two daughters of Sahukar had applied for the recruitment.

One of the daughters, Suma Sahukar, had reportedly submitted a Category 3B backward class caste and income certificate stating that her family’s annual income was below ₹40,000.

The case became controversial because Sahukar, while serving as KPSC chairman, had declared his own annual income at ₹12.65 lakh and assets worth ₹2.54 crore. He was accused of directly interfering in the process connected with the certificate submitted by his daughter.

The KPSC subsequently took action against Suma Sahukar. At its sixth meeting held on June 19, 2026, the commission decided to permanently debar her from appearing for its examinations. The commission also passed a resolution calling for Sahukar to step down from the chairman’s position.

The developments later moved to the constitutional level. Based on a report from the KPSC, the Governor recommended on July 9, 2026, that the matter be referred to the Supreme Court through the President. The Governor also exercised powers under Article 317(2) of the Constitution and issued an order suspending Sahukar on July 10.

Sahukar challenged the suspension before the Karnataka High Court. The single judge bench subsequently found fault with the manner in which the Governor had exercised the power. The court held that a direct suspension without prior advice or assistance from the state cabinet was unconstitutional and set aside the suspension order.

At the same time, the single judge order indicated that the Governor could take action in accordance with the applicable constitutional and legal procedure. The latest appeal now seeks reconsideration of that decision before a division bench.

The Governor’s appeal also points to developments concerning the allegations against Sahukar at the national level. It states that on August 14, 2026, the President had already referred the allegations of misconduct against Sahukar to the Supreme Court for an inquiry.

Based on these developments, the Governor’s side has argued that there was no legal defect in the suspension order and that the earlier single judge decision should be cancelled.

The latest hearing does not settle the dispute. With notices now issued to Sahukar and the KPSC, the respondents will have an opportunity to present their position before the division bench. The case is expected to be closely watched because it involves the powers of the Governor, the functioning of a constitutional recruitment body and the procedure followed in disciplinary action against its chairman.