Appointment to planning panel: Ramanagar SP files affidavit

The Superintendent of Police, Ramanagar, on Tuesday filed an affidavit in the High Court on the criminal cases pending against the chairman and members of Kanakapura Local Planning Authority.

According to the affidavit, a charge sheet has been filed against K Puttamadegowda, member, in a case pending before the JMFC Court.

The Superitendent of Police also referred to the arrest of Ravikumar, an RTI activist and the petitioner in the case. A non-bailable warrant was issued against him for his failure to appear before the court. He was released on bail on Monday.

Ravikumar had challenged the appointment of M D Vijay Dev K Puttamade Gowda and Joseph Gonzalves as the president and members respectively of the Kanakapura Planning Authority on the basis of recommendation by Energy Minister D K Shivakumar.

The petitioner had claimed that, following an RTI query, it was found that the members were not qualified and had criminal backgrounds.

During the hearing, Justice Ram Mohan Reddy observed that it was not right on the government and the minister to indulge in such appointments. The High Court said that it had utmost respect for the elected representatives and asked the government counsel to inform the minister not to get involved in such appointments.
The bench asked the petitioner to file a counter-affidavit and adjourned the next hearing to Thursday.

Petition disposed of
The High Court on Tuesday disposed of a petition pertaining to the dispute over inheriting the estate of mathematical wizard late Shakuntala Devi who passed away in April, 2013.

Anupama Banerjee, the daughter of Shakuntala Devi had filed a petition against Shakuntala Devi Educational Foundation Public and others over inheriting her mother’s property.

Justice B V Nagarathna disposed off the matter after the parties arrived at an amicable solution with the Trust agreeing to give away a portion of the property to the daughter.