The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday reserved its judgement on a petition challenging Governor H.R. Bhardwaj’s orders referring the matter of disqualification of three Karnataka ministers, having mining business, to the Election Commission.
After hearing the petitioner and the prosecution, Justice Mohan Shantanagouder reserved his verdict.
On July 12, the High Court had ordered issue of notices to the Election Commission, State government and complainant, Congress MLC from Bellary K.C. Kondaiah, on a petition challenging Mr. Bhardwaj’s orders referring the matter of disqualification of three ministers from the Assembly to the poll panel.
The petition was filed by ministers Janardhana Reddy, Karunakara Reddy and B. Sreeramulu.
Mr. Kondaiah had in a petition sought disqualification of the Reddy brothers and their business associate and health minister Mr. Sreeramulu alleging that they owned mining businesses in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which led to a conflict of interest.
Mr. Bhardwaj had issued notice to the three, asking them to appear in person and clarify the position but they were represented by their counsel. On June 3, Mr. Bhardwaj held a hearing during which their counsel appeared before him, filed written replies and sought rejection of the petition, contending that he has not produced any proof to support his charges that they attracted “office of profit” clause. However, Mr. Bhardwaj rejected their plea and forwarded it to EC for action.
The EC had issued notices to the three on June 28.
