Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Karnataka High Court sets aside suspension of KPSC Chairperson Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar by Governor

The High Court of Karnataka set aside the Governor’s order suspending Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar from the post of chairperson of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) following allegations of wrong-doing, and ordered his reinstatement. The court held that the suspension was bad in law as the Governor had acted without the aid and advise of the State Cabinet.

Mr. Sahukar contended that the Governor had no power to suspend the chairperson/member of the State Public Service Commission till the President of India, acting on the Governor’s recommendation, makes a reference to the Supreme Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution for holding an enquiry against the chairperson/member of a SPSC.

Meanwhile, ED officials raided as numerous as 21 premises across Karnataka and Ahmedabad in connection to irregularities in the recruitment of Veterinary Officers. This included the KPSC office in Bengaluru, residence of Mr. Sahukar, KPSC member Shanta Hosmani, alleged middlemen, selected candidates, and the premises of Edutest Solutions Private Limited, the agency responsible for digital evaluation of examination papers.

2. 500 students of Clarence High School in Bengaluru fall sick, management blames street vendors

After more than 500 students fell sick due to seasonal flu-like illness and two confirmed H1N1 cases among staff members, Clarence High School in Bengaluru was closed from August 14 to 18. They have shifted their classes from offline to online.

In a letter addressed to civic authorities, Commodore Prem Reuben, Administrator, Clarence High School, stated, “More than 500 students (20% of our 2,500-strong student body) and 21 staff members are absent due to fever, cold, cough, and body ache.”

Gurudatta Hegde, Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare Department said, “Two staff members have tested positive for H1N1 in Clarence school. They are in the recovery stage now. There is no outbreak in the school among children. We learnt that nearly 500 students were absent, mainly due to panic. No child has tested positive for H1N1.

3. Bengaluru’s ORR companies write to GBA expressing concern over white-topping in October, WFH suggestion

The Outer Ring Road Businesses Association (ORRCA) has written to the Greater Bengaluru Authority commissioner Maheshwar Rao expressing “deep disappointment and serious concern” over the move to commence white-topping work on ORR in October 2026, and government’s suggestion for “work from home” (WFH) to mitigate the impact.

On August 4, more than 100 representatives of ORR businesses had attended a meeting with senior administration officials, chaired by Mr. Rao. Nearly 70% of the participants called on the government to focus on completing the Metro before launching new ORR projects. Citing delays and poor infrastructure, companies stated that confidence in authorities’ execution capabilities has weakened.

4. Mankal Vaidya elected unopposed as Karnataka Assembly Deputy Speaker

Two-time MLA Mankal Vaidya of the Congress was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on August 18. Mr. Vaidya represents the Bhatkal Assembly constituency in Uttara Kannada district. Chief Minister D.K. While Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi seconded the proposal.

Speaker G, shivakumar proposed his name. S. Patil announced the unanimous election of Mr. Vaidya as Deputy Speaker of the House. Mr. Vaidya was first elected to the Assembly in 2013 as an independent, and subsequently joined the Congress. He lost the 2018 Assembly election but returned to the Assembly in 2023 on a Congress ticket. He served as Minister for Ports and Fisheries in the Siddaramaiah government for three years.