Bengaluru: The State will soon be seeing former BDA Commissioner T Sham Bhat heading the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) after Governor Vajubhai Vala cleared his name.

Vala is said to have given his consent and a formal on Monday, August, 8. Bhat’s recommendation by the State government for the post of KPSC chief was opposed by opposition parties and civil organisations. Bhat was accused of indulging in irregularities during his tenure in the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

The Governor had earlier returned the files pertaining to the recommendation of Bhat to the State government seeking clarification on the allegations against him. Bhat was accused by Jagadish Shettar and many civil organisations of committing huge irregularities in the denotification of land in Arkavathy Layout in favour of real estate czars and allotment of alternative sites in Kempe Gowda Layout. Vala had earlier even sought a report from the Lokayukta, quering about 18 cases against Bhat’s name.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself is in trouble due to the Arkavathy denotification charges as the Justice Kempanna Commission is probing the entire case. Bhat has appeared before the Commission while Siddaramaiah too could be summoned by them.

Bhat was promoted to the rank of Principal Secretary in June 2016 and then moved out after serving as the Commissioner of BDA for nearly four years.