Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa skipped an appearance in the Special Lokayukta Court on Wednesday in the two private complaints filed against him by advocate Sirajin Basha.

Yeddyurappa’s counsel sought exemption from appearance on health grounds stating that he had undergone an eye operation three days ago and had been advised by the doctors not to travel outside. The matter has been adjourned to January 30. The complaints relate to illegal denotification of land and accepting financial favours in return.

HC notices to officials

The High Court directed on Wednesday, the issue of contempt of court notices to G Kumar Naik, Principal Secretary, Primary and Secondary Education and four other officials on a petition challenging the non-implementation of reservation for disabled candidates in recruitment of drawing teachers for high schools.

The Bench comprising Justices D V Shylendra Kumar and H S Kempanna issued  notices to Naik, Mohammad Sanaulla, Principal Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and the Joint Directors of Selection Authorities for Mysore and Gulbarga Divisions.

Sheshappa Reddy and four others had questioned the non-implementation of five per cent reservation for physically handicapped candidates in the recruitment of drawing teachers.

The government gave an undertaking on September 2, 2010, that it would implement the reservation. It, however, failed to honour it. 

Disqualification

The High Court has adjourned to next month a PIL,  challenging the nomination of two members to the Syndicate, the highest decision-making body of the University of Mysore.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna allowed the petition on Wednesday, but not before delving into the intention of the petitioner, K Prasanna, a native of Mysore. He had questioned the nomination of Maritibbe Gowda, MLC, and K Sumitra Bai, former principal of Maharaja’s College, Mysore, to the Syndicate.

According to the petitioner, Gowda should not have been appointed as he is not an academician. As for Sumitra Bai, Prasanna alleged that she had “misused” funds to the tune of about Rs 15 lakh when she was the principal of Maharaja’s College from 2004 to 2006. 

The Bench, however, was doubtful about the petitioner’s intentions and asked him whether some other elements were behind it. It also asked him about his livelihood. In reply, the court was told that Prasanna studied up to class VIII and is the president of Madigara Sangharsha Samithi which works for the welfare of the Madigara community.  He is an autorickshaw driver and does not have any immovable properties. He claimed the petition was filed keeping in mind students’ interests.

Mysore DC gets notice

The High Court has directed the issue of notices to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Mysore and three others on a petition alleging black-marketing by the owner of a fair price shop in Nanjangud taluk.

Gurusiddappa, a native of Nagarale village in the taluk, had filed a petition before the High Court accusing Narasimhamurthy, who runs a government-licenced fair price shop, of black-marketing and profiteering.