Bengaluru: The controversy on the appointment of T Sham Bhatt as the chairperson of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has reached a boiling point after Lokayukta office sent a report to the Raj Bhavan reportedly on the status of 18 complaints against him.

The name of the 1992 batch IAS officer, Bhatt was recommended by the State government on May 18, 2016 for appointment to KPSC. The Governor’s office had asked a detailed report on the complaints against Bhatt.

The report from the Lokayukta office stated that 18 complaints are pending against Bhatt and are still at the stage of scrutiny as the post of Lokayukta is vacant for the last six months. The report also said that two cases had been sent to the government initiating action against Bhatt.

One of the two complaints was regarding the allotment of industrial land in Bommasandra Industrial Area when Bhatt was the CEO of Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board.

Sources said that the governor may ask the government on the action taken on the report forwarded by the Lokayukta against Bhatt.

Earlier on Tuesday Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa, said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had committed a mistake in recommending T Sham Bhatt’s name as the chairperson of KPSC.

He told that he personally felt that Bhatt was not suitable for the post.