Bengaluru: Karnataka high court Friday stayed a June 19 resolution passed by members of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) seeking the resignation of chairman Shiva Shankarappa S Sahukar over allegations of nepotism.Justice Suraj Govindaraj also stayed the reports sent to the chief secretary and the governor based on the resolution after hearing Sahukar’s petition. The court issued notice to the KPSC secretary and 11 members.The resolution was passed after allegations surfaced over the recruitment of Sahukar’s daughter as an industrial extension officer (IEO). She has been accused of falsely claiming that her family’s annual income was below Rs 8 lakh to avail reservation benefits.Based on the June 19 resolution, a report was forwarded to the chief secretary on July 6 and another to the governor on July 7.Challenging both the resolution and the reports, Sahukar contended that the KPSC members had no jurisdiction to introduce an additional agenda seeking his resignation during the June 19 meeting. He further alleged that the resolution was passed in his absence, was motivated by malice, and had caused unwarranted stigma. He also argued that it violated the principles of natural justice, as he was not given an opportunity to present his case.According to Sahukar, the KPSC (Conduct of Business and Additional Functions) Rules do not empower members to introduce such an additional agenda or seek the resignation of the chairperson. He further submitted that the KPSC chairperson is appointed by the governor under Article 316 of the Constitution and that commission members cannot assume the role of a disciplinary authority. On these grounds, he sought the high court’s intervention, following which the court granted interim relief.
