State not serious about boundary dispute suit: Justice Malimath

Former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court V S Malimath expressed his displeasure over State government for not being serious about the suit filed by Maharashtra, regarding the Karnataka-Maharashtra boundary dispute, in the Supreme Court. 

Justice Malimath demanded that State government should ensure that its counsels convince the apex court that the boundary dispute was political and did not have legal considerations and decision be taken on maintainability of suit.

The former chairman of Karnataka Law Commission, Justice Malimath told reporters here on Tuesday that he has given 20-page opinion that the suit filed by Maharashtra was not maintainable and that the latest amendments have been moved. If the government states its stand properly there was no need to look into other issues. Boundary row was political and not legal. The Parliament has to decide and Supreme Court has no jurisdiction over it. 

He said that the State should stick to two points - jurisdiction issue and whether the suit was maintainable and evidences later. Legal stand has to be taken by the State at the earliest. Best legal and political brains must come together and convince the apex court. 

Minister from North Karnataka region someone like H K Patil, who can take responsibility and work hard to protect State’s interest should be entrusted with the task to oversee the progress of the suit and coordinate with the legal team, Justice Malimath suggested.