The Karnataka High Court adjourned the hearing of a petition filed by Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar challenging the prosecution launched against him by the Income Tax (I-T) Department for willful tax evasion and filing of false I-T statement.

Shivakumar has also challenged the summons issued on January 17 by the assistant director, ED, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, requiring his personal appearance along with documents on February 8. According to him, the entire proceedings launched against him are without jurisdiction and need to be quashed.

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a statement of objections citing that the investigation of the case has not yet begun and it is premature to approach the court at this juncture.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case to March 7.