JOIN USHC directs State to file objections
Hearing an interlocutory application (IA) by S Vasudevan, a City-based advocate to the Court’s suo moto petition against the striking doctors, the division bench comprising Justice Billappa and Justice Arali Nagraj has directed the State to file objections in this connection. The doctors were also directed to file affidavits.
Dr H N Ravindranath, President, Government Medical Officers Association submitted that if the resignations were accepted by the State government, the doctors will continue their service to the Society in their respective towns by forming a social organisation.
He submitted that the respective District Health Officers will be the directors, until the bye-laws are formed.
The doctors also submitted that the talks with the private sector is on to mobilise funds required for their service.
The petitioner in his IA had said that despite High Court directions, the doctors were on strike for the fourth time in the past nine months and had tendered resignation en masse paralysing the medical services in the State. The petitioner further said that the patients had been affected due to the tug of war between the government and the doctors.
He submitted that the primary health centres had been left in the lurch and the common man was suffering due to this.
ZP prez election quashed
The High Court, which initiated a suo motu petition against the Bangalore Urban Zilla Panchayat (ZP) members, has quashed the election of Bhagya Rajalakshmi Reddy as president, Bangalore ZP.
The division bench comprising Justice Gopalagowda and Justice Dr Bhaktavatsala has annulled the election of Bhagya Rajalakshmi Reddy for filing nomination and emerging victorious even when the matter is pending before the Court.
Following an appeal by G Nagraj, challenging the permission to file nomination to Bhagya Rajalakshmi Reddy, the Bangalore Urban ZP was directed not to conduct polls for the post of President and Vice President during the last week of August.
However, the elections were conducted by regional commissioner, who is the returning officer and the respondent sought a written direction. Following a delay in obtaining the written direction from the High Court, Bhagya Rajalakshmi Reddy was elected the President.
Following this the Court, which initiated a suo motu case, has directed the registry to place it before the Chief Justice to initiate contempt proceedings against all those concerned with this. Following this the bench nullified the election.