BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has quashed Governor Thawarchand Gehlot’s order suspending KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar and directed the authorities to reinstate him within seven days.
The suspension order was issued on July 10 following allegations against the KPSC chairman. Shivashankarappa challenged the decision before the High Court. Justice Suraj Govindaraj, hearing the petition, set aside the governor’s order.
The court observed that the state cabinet had neither recommended nor advised the governor to suspend Shivashankarappa. The bench held that the governor was required to act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers.
The court also directed that no decision be taken regarding the recruitment of Shivashankarappa’s daughters.
However, the bench clarified that it had not examined the merits or validity of the allegations against the KPSC chairman. The ruling was limited to the legality of the suspension order.
Senior advocate Arun Shyam, appearing for Shivashankarappa, had argued that post-facto approval by the state cabinet could not legally validate the governor’s decision to suspend the KPSC chairman.
The High Court’s order now clears the way for Shivashankarappa to return to the KPSC chairman’s post, subject to the directions issued by the court.
The ruling comes amid allegations surrounding recruitment processes conducted by the KPSC and scrutiny of the role of officials in the appointments.
