HC seeks government info on hotel closure timings

Counsel for the petitioner, Empire Group of Hotels, told the Court that there was no prior intimation as required under Section 31 (6) of the Karnataka Police Act.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice Sabhahit sought to know whether there was any such intimation. The matter was later adjourned.

Ramzan gesture
The City Police had rejected the Empire hotel’s request for permission to run the restaurant beyond 12 midnight during the month of Ramzan. In a separate order on August 27, 2009, the police permitted the City hotels to remain open from 3 am to 12 midnight. City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari, in his order, said that the hotels would remain open to enable people  observing Ramzan fast to have ‘Seheri’ meals.

On May 19, 2009, the City police had fixed a midnight deadline for eateries and hotels. The hotel group which has a chain of hotels in the City has challenged the order in the High Court stating that the Police Commissioner had no power under the law or rules to impose such deadlines.

Sudhakar case
The case against a CBI probe into Social Welfare Minister D Sudhakar’s bank loans ‘scam’ took  a new twist with N R Laxmikanth, a BJP leader, who lost in the Assembly polls to the minister, filing an impleading application in the Court.
As the deadline nears for Sudhakar to tender his resignation from the B S Yeddyurappa ministry, the defeated candidate has come forward to help the Court in the matter.

Laxmikanth and another person Thimmaraju have said that they were interested in cleansing the public administration. They said that they have the right to oppose the criminal revision petition filed by the petitioner (minister) in the interest of the society. Justice Subhash Adi adjourned the matter. 

Temple land
The Court  granted injunction on selling land attached to the Kaadumalleshwara temple to the Vidya Bharathi Trust.

Hearing a PIL by Srinivasa Kamath and others, the division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and Justice V G Sabhahit gave the injunction. The petitioners contended that the temple has historical significance and the land is a grant to construct quarters for the priests and servants. The petitioners said the State Revenue Secretary has directed the Chief Executive Officer of Kaadumalleshwara temple to ensure the land transfer and the CM has sought the relevant files before him. Notices have been ordered to the State Revenue Secretary, Commissioner of Hindu religious, charitable and endowment department and others.

Deemed varsities
The  Court refused to hear a matter seeking modification of the order dated August 19, relating to deemed universities regarding the admission of students. The division bench said since a special leave petition is pending before the apex court, the bench would not like to precipitate the matter.

Relief for Atul Rao
The Court has exempted Atul Rao from regular station visits to sign before the authorities in connection with the Padmapriya case.
Rao, who was supposed to appear before the Station House Officer (SHO) at Manipal Police Station every Sunday, had sought an exemption stating that the charge sheet has been filed against him and investigation has been completed.