Bengaluru: The High Court has yesterday passed an order for the reinstatement of Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar as Chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed this order while setting aside the order passed by the Governor of Karnataka, suspending Shivashankarappa. The Court observed that the order was passed without the recommendation of the Cabinet.

“The petitioner is directed to be reinstated as Chairperson of KPSC within 7 days on receipt of the order. The petitioner, on reinstatement, is entitled to function as Chairman of KPSC and is entitled to consequent monetary benefits flowing from quashing the order of suspension,” the Court said, while partly allowing the petition filed by Shivashankarappa. However, the Court restrained him from taking any decision, acting or causing anyone to act in any particular manner regarding action proposed to be taken against his daughters.

“It will be open for competent constitutional authorities to proceed afresh if so advised in the Constitution and the law declared in this judgment—that is on the prior aid and advice of the council of ministers—that an order of suspension under Article 317 (2) of the Constitution can be made,” Justice Suraj Govindaraj said, specifying that the Court has not gone into the truth or otherwise with regards to any of the allegations made against the petitioner, except deciding the issue on requirement under Article 317(2) of the Constitution of India.

In ED custody

Meanwhile, in a parallel development, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials probing into the irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers, conducted through KPSC, simultaneously raided 21 places related to Sahukar and seized cash and documents. Later, Sahukar was taken into custody by ED and is subjected to enquiry.

Earlier in the day, ED officials raided different premises linked to Sahukar at Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davangere, Raichuer, Karwar, Kalaburagi, Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The residence of Sahukar and his daughter were also raided, followed by that of KPSC Member Shantha Hosamani, middlemen, a private entity which was entrusted with the task of digital evaluation of answer scripts.