Bengaluru, July 14 -- Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar over allegations that he illegally facilitated the selection of his two daughters as industrial extension officers. In the first-of-its-kind move against a KPSC chairman or member, Gehlot also recommended that the President refer the allegations of misconduct against him to the Supreme Court for an inquiry under Article 317(1) of the Constitution-removal of a Public Service Commission member. Pending the outcome of the proceedings, the Governor directed the senior-most member of the commission to discharge the chairman's responsibilities, saying the step was necessary to preserve the integrity of KPSC and allow an impartial inquiry. "The Governor has recommended to the President of India to make reference to the Supreme Court of India under Article 317(1) of the Constitution of India for necessary enquiry into the allegations made against Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, Chairman, Karnataka Public Service Commission," the order stated. HT reached out to Sahukar for a comment but did not receive a response. Sahukar was appointed Chairman on April 3, 2021, after serving as a member of the commission from September 2019. He succeeded former IAS officer Shadakshari Swamy, who retired the same day. The appointment was made by then Governor Vajubhai Vala. According to the Governor's Secretariat, complaints alleged that Sahukar facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as industrial extension officers while presiding over the commission responsible for the recruitment. The Secretariat said he neither recused himself from the process nor formally disclosed a conflict of interest despite his daughters being candidates. It further alleged that one of his daughters obtained an income and caste certificate declaring the family's annual income as Rs.40,000 and claimed reservation under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, along with creamy layer exemption by concealing material facts. The Secretariat said a Karnataka government order issued on March 30, 2002, bars children of a Public Service Commission chairman from availing reservation under the state's backward classes quota, and alleged that the restriction was concealed to secure an undue benefit during recruitment. After examining the Chairman's income and property returns and other records, the Governor's Secretariat said it found prima facie material indicating misbehaviour, warranting action under Article 317(1) of the Constitution....