MLA caste status: HC orders dist admin to probe again

Looks like, trouble is brewing for Krishnaraja MLA M K Somashekar, a close aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

In its order on the legislator’s petition (filed on July 1, 2014), challenging the reports of competent authorities (made in 2011) that he had forged documents and had declared himself as ‘Kadu Kuruba’ to avail benefits meant for Scheduled Tribe (ST), the High Court has directed the Tahsildar of Mysore and District Caste and Income Verification Committee to examine the caste certificate, and submit reports in the next six months.

In his order, Judge L Narayanswamy has stated, the caste certificate was issued in favour of the petitioner as Kadu Kuruba in the year 1979-80 by the tahsildar, Mysore, and that the Tahsildar’s office should examined the origin and source of the same. Following which, the Tahsildar should submit a report to the District Caste and Income Verification Committee. The Committee has been asked to investigate and record evidence, and pass an order within the next six months.

The petitioner in the case, Somashekar had moved the Apex Court of the State challenging the report given by the Director of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE).

Complaint

M C Chikkanna, a former corporator and political bete noire of Somashekar had challenged the caste status of the latter. In his complaint to then deputy commissioner, also the chairman/ chairperson of District Caste Verification Committee, Chikkanna had alleged that Somashekar had forged records as ‘Kadu Kuruba’ to obtain a LPG agency under ST Quota from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

According to Chikkanna, Somashekar belongs to ‘Halu Kuruba’ community, which come under the backward classes category. The deputy commissioner had referred the complaint to the Superintendent of Police, and Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, Mysore.

The DCRE had found substance in the complaint, that was also concluded as valid by the Director of Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department and Chairman of State Caste Verification Committee, Bangalore.
DH News Service