HC orders notice to State

The High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notice to the State for allowing C M Mallikarjun to continue as in charge controller at Department of Legal Metrology, despite he being convicted by the Special Lokayukta Court.

A PIL, filed by R S Sudharshan, contended that Mallikarjun should be suspended from service as his continuation in service was in violation of the Karnataka Civil Services Act.

Hearing the matter, a division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna, orally observed, "If what the petitioner contends is true, then this officer should not continue another day in service.”

The petitioner contended that in 2005 when Mallikarjun was the Deputy Controller, he was arrested for demanding a bribe of Rs 50,000. A charge sheet was filed by the Lokayukta police after investigation and he was later convicted and sentenced by the Lokayukta Court in June 2012.

The petitioner further contended that though the High Court, hearing Mallikarjun's appeal had stayed his sentence, it had not stayed his conviction. Hence, Mallikarjun should be kept under suspension from the day of his conviction, the petitioner argued. The matter has been adjourned.