Another HC judge recuses from hearing BBMP polls matter

Justice A N Venugopala Gowda recused from hearing the PIL. This comes a day after a bench, headed by Justice V Gopalagowda, had declined to hear the matter.

When the matter came up for hearing before the bench comprising Justice Manjula Chellur and Venugopala Gowda, the latter said that he would recuse from the hearing. He said he was a government advocate in 2006 when the first PIL had been filed and the same has been mentioned in the fresh PIL. Initially, he had said that he would hear the matter if the petitioners gave in writing that they had no objections. However, he later announced that he would not hear the matter.  

On Tuesday, when the counsel for the petitioners had sought an early hearing on the matter, Justice V Gopalagowda, had said that it should be heard by some other bench.

Former Mayors P R Ramesh and Ramachandrappa had moved the High Court challenging the withdrawal of the notification. Now, the matter is likely to come up before some other bench. The Government has maintained that its next course of action on the Palike polls would depend on the High Court's verdict on the PIL.

Contempt charges denied

The hearing of contempt petition against International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) began on Wednesday in the High Court, with the Society denying the charges levelled against it.

During the hearing of suo motu petition, the counsel for ISKCON submitted that the photograph featuring Justice K L Manjunath receiving a picture of Lord Krishna was not taken by the ISKCON. He submitted that it might have been taken by someone in the public gathering on that day, which had been misused and sent to the judge.

However, the bench comprising Justice Sridhar Rao and Justice Subhash B Adi said there had been an occasion to take pictures and there were possibilities the Society might have taken the pictures.

The Counsel further submitted that the two photographs from the albums of ISKCON, Bangalore went missing. “Someone might have taken away the pictures. The ISKCON, Mumbai might have taken and sent them to prejudice the case,” he submitted.

The bench pointed out that the statements are contrary to the one made earlier. “You said you did not take the pictures, now you say the pictures are stolen? What does this mean,” the bench questioned. The matter has been adjourned. The suo motu criminal contempt petition was initiated following allegations of scandalising the judiciary. Several members of ISKCON, including Madhu Pandit Dasa were present before the court.

Notice on pollution

The High Court on Wednesday ordered issue of notice to the State government in connection with pollution due to vehicular emissions in the City.

The petitioner, Sridhar Subramanya had moved the High Court seeking directions to strictly implement the norms to bring down the vehicular pollution levels in the City. He submitted that the emission of carbon monoxide, sulphur and other chemicals is increasing in the City due to the use high sulphur diesel, but the State government has not done much to prevent this.

Citing the order in the M C Mehtha case by the apex court, the petitioner said as per this order, it is the duty of the State to ensure public health, but the State has so far not bothered to look into this matter seriously.

He submitted that the State had assured to introduce the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) in the State, but till today the assurance has remained on paper.

Citing that the use of high sulphur diesel has affected the public life by causing asthma, irritation and other diseases, the petitioner sought directions to bring down the level of emission and strictly adhere to the national diesel norms. The division bench headed by Justice V Gopalagowda has ordered notice to the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Transport.