Karnataka HC quashes KPSC chairman's suspension, orders 7-day reinstatement
Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has ruled that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot overstepped his constitutional authority by suspending KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar without Cabinet backing — a verdict that redraws the line between gubernatorial power and elected government in Karnataka, even as the ED raids 21 locations over the very recruitment scandal that triggered the crisis.
Key Takeaways
The Karnataka High Court on 18 August quashed the suspension of KPSC Chairman Shivashankarappa S.
Sahukar and ordered reinstatement within seven days .
The bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's 10 July suspension order was constitutionally invalid as the Cabinet had not recommended it.
The court imposed a condition barring Sahukar from taking any decisions on appointments involving his daughters.
Under Article 317(1) , a KPSC chairperson can only be removed after a Presidential reference to the Supreme Court — a process the Governor bypassed.
The Enforcement Directorate simultaneously raided 21 locations in Karnataka and Ahmedabad over alleged irregularities in Veterinary Officer recruitment, targeting the KPSC office, Sahukar's residence, and Edutest Solutions Pvt.
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, 18 August quashed the suspension order issued against Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar and directed authorities to reinstate him within seven days. The ruling came as a significant constitutional rebuke of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's unilateral action taken on 10 July.
What the Court Ruled
A bench headed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj held that the suspension order was not legally sustainable, observing that the Cabinet had neither recommended nor suggested suspending the KPSC chairman. The court declared the order null and void, affirming that the Governor is bound to act in accordance with the Cabinet's decision in such matters.
While ordering reinstatement, the court imposed a specific restriction: Sahukar must not take any decision concerning the appointments of his daughters — a condition that underscores the conflict-of-interest concerns at the heart of the controversy.
The Constitutional Argument
Senior counsel Arun Shyam, appearing for Sahukar, argued that the suspension did not comply with legal requirements under the Constitution. Sahukar's petition contended that the Governor has no authority to suspend the chairperson of a State Public Service Commission independently. Under Article 317(1) of the Constitution, such action requires the President of India — acting on the Governor's recommendation — to make a reference to the Supreme Court for an inquiry. The High Court found this argument persuasive.
ED Raids Amid Recruitment Irregularity Allegations
The court order arrives against a backdrop of serious allegations surrounding the KPSC's recruitment process. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations on Tuesday at 21 locations across Karnataka and Ahmedabad under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The premises searched include the KPSC office, Sahukar's residence, the residence of KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, alleged mediators, candidates selected for Veterinary Officer posts, and the office of Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd. — the firm reportedly responsible for digital evaluation of examination papers. The ED searches relate to alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers.
What This Means Going Forward
The ruling draws a clear constitutional line between gubernatorial discretion and Cabinet authority in matters of public service commissions — a distinction that has broader implications for Governor-Cabinet relations in opposition-ruled states. Sahukar's reinstatement is now mandated within seven days, though the ED investigation into recruitment irregularities continues independently. The conflict-of-interest restriction imposed by the court signals that judicial oversight of his functioning is far from over.
Point of View
The court has reinforced a guardrail that matters especially in states where Governors and elected governments are at odds. What the ruling does not resolve is the underlying scandal — the ED's simultaneous raids at 21 locations suggest the recruitment irregularity probe is deepening, not narrowing. Sahukar returns to office under a judicial leash, barred from decisions touching his daughters' appointments. The question mainstream coverage is underplaying: how does a public service commission function credibly when its reinstated chairman is simultaneously the subject of an active money-laundering investigation?
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Karnataka High Court quash the KPSC chairman's suspension?
The court ruled that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's suspension of KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa Sahukar on 10 July was constitutionally invalid because the Cabinet had neither recommended nor approved the action. Under Article 317(1) of the Constitution, suspending a State Public Service Commission chairperson requires a Presidential reference to the Supreme Court, a process that was not followed.
What is the reinstatement timeline ordered by the court?
The Karnataka High Court directed authorities to reinstate Sahukar as KPSC chairman within seven days of the order passed on 18 August. The court also restricted him from taking any decisions relating to the appointments of his daughters.
What are the ED raids in the KPSC case about?
The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 21 locations across Karnataka and Ahmedabad on 18 August under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, probing alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers. Locations searched included the KPSC office, Sahukar's residence, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani's premises, and offices of Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Who is Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and why was it raided?
Edutest Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a private firm that was reportedly responsible for the digital evaluation of KPSC examination papers. It was among the premises searched by the ED as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the Veterinary Officer recruitment process.
What does Article 317(1) say about removing a KPSC chairperson?
Article 317(1) of the Indian Constitution provides that the chairperson of a State Public Service Commission can be removed only after the President of India — acting on the Governor's recommendation — makes a reference to the Supreme Court for an inquiry. The Governor cannot act unilaterally, which is the constitutional basis on which the Karnataka High Court struck down the suspension.
