High Court grants Yelahanka legislator advance bail

The High Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to Yelahanka MLA, S R Vishwanath, in a private complaint lodged against him for drawing salary from his public sector employer as well as from the State as a zilla panchayat member.

Bangalore-based social activist, V Shashidhar, had obtain information under the RTI Act and made a complaint about Vishwanath working as a mechanic at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and at the same time being a member of the Bangalore Urban Zilla Panchayat between 2000 and 2005.

Stating that the service rules of HAL barred employees from contesting election to a local body and becoming a member, Shashidhar claimed that Vishwanath drew salary from HAL as well as from the zilla panchayat as a member, and sought action against him.

He submitted that Vishwanath’s conduct was in violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

After an FIR was filed against him, Vishwanath moved the High Court for anticipatory bail. He submitted that he had informed the HAL authorities about him contesting the Zilla Panchayat election and there was no violation on his part. He also questioned the delay in filing the complaint against him as he had quit HAL years ago.

Justice R B Budihal, who heard the matter, granted him anticipatory bail. He directed Vishwanath to furnish a Rs 25,000 bond and not to tamper with evidence.

Time sought

The State government has sought time to file its objections in a petition challenging the construction of proposed film city at Hesarghatta on the 342 acres of land adjoining the lake.

During the hearing of a PIL against film city on Tuesday, the government said that it would file its objections after a Cabinet meeting and after consulting the Information, Animal Husbandry and Forest departments.

The petitioners have contended that the film city would pose a threat to the lake.