Proceedings against KPSC member quashed

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday quashed the lower court proceedings initiated against Mangala Sridhar, suspended member of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Mangala was accused of demanding a bribe from one of the candidates during the selection for the posts of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ Gazetted Probationary Officers for the year 2011.

Mangala approached the court seeking quashing of the proceedings against her on the ground that to conduct trial against a KPSC member, sanction is required from the competent authority which is the President of India and not the governor. She had contended that the governor granting sanction for her prosecution was against Article 317 of the Constitution of India (removal and suspension of a member of a Public Service Commission).  Justice Anand Byrareddy quashed the lower court proceedings on this ground against her.