SC dismisses plea to declare Satyendar Jain a person with "unsound mind", imposes cost on petitioner
New Delhi, Oct 14: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed with cost of Rs 20,000 a plea challenging the Delhi High Court order rejecting a petition seeking to declare AAP leader Satyendar Jain, arrested in a money laundering case, a "person with unsound mind" and disqualifying him as an MLA and minister.
The high court, in its August 16 order, had said based upon the averments made in the writ petition filed before it and in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution, it cannot declare Jain a "person with unsound mind" and disqualify him from being a member of the Legislative Assembly or a Minister in the Delhi Government.
"The petition is so misconceived and such a wastage of judicial time that it necessitates an imposition of costs of Rs 20,000 on the petitioner," a bench of Justices S K Kaul and A S Oka said.
While dismissing the plea, the bench directed that the cost be deposited with the Supreme Court Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee within four weeks.
The petition, filed in the apex court by a Delhi-resident, said Article 191(1)(b) of the Constitution clearly states that a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a state if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court.
"It is further submitted that one of the cabinet ministers in Delhi Government, Satyendar Kumar Jain, also the member of Legislative Assembly from Shakur Basti Assembly constituency since 2015 himself declared that he lost his memory, before the officers of Enforcement Directorate and the same has also been informed to the Special Judge, Rouse Avenue District Court, New Delhi by the Additional Solicitor General," the plea claimed.
It said, unfortunately, Jain is still continuing as a cabinet minister and an MLA.
The petition said Jain had moved a bail application before the special judge here, and during the arguments, it was placed on record by the Additional Solicitor General that he has stated before the ED officers that due to severe case of Covid, he does not remember many things like his signature.
The high court had earlier dismissed a separate plea to suspend Jain from the cabinet following his arrest in the money laundering case, saying it was for the chief minister to consider whether a person with a criminal background should be allowed to continue as a minister or not.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Jain and two others in connection with a money laundering case based on a Central Bureau of Investigation FIR lodged against the AAP leader in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Jain is accused of having laundered money through four companies linked to him. He has denied the allegations.
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KPTCL sets target to complete Kadandale 400 kV power substation project by July 15
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): The KPTCL has set a target to complete the strategically important Kadandale 400 kV power substation project by July 15, aiming to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply to the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, officials said on Wednesday.
The target has been fixed by the KPTCL (Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited) following the directions of State Energy Minister K J George, they said.
The project, located at Kadandale village in Moodbidri taluk of Dakshina Kannada district, had remained stalled for nearly three years due to land-related litigation affecting the 400 kV transmission line works, officials said.
However, the hurdles were successfully resolved through the sustained efforts of Energy Minister George and Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, they said.
Following the minister's directions, KPTCL Managing Director Ram Prasath Manohar visited the project site on Wednesday to review the progress of the works, according to an official statement.
"Mangaluru is one of Karnataka's key industrial hubs and requires a reliable and uninterrupted power supply. As directed by the Hon'ble Minister, we are working towards completing the project before the onset of the monsoon and commencing transmission operations at the earliest," Manohar said.
According to officials, the Kadandale 400 kV substation is expected to significantly strengthen the power infrastructure of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which are major industrial and commercial regions of the state.
Manohar said the project would provide a long-term solution to recurring monsoon-related voltage fluctuations and low-voltage issues in the coastal belt.
"The new substation will improve grid stability and ensure quality power supply to the region. In the event of a technical fault in any one station, load can be quickly diverted through this substation, enabling faster restoration of electricity supply," he explained.
To expedite completion of the project, KPTCL has planned to obtain line clearance on the existing 400 kV UPCL-Hebbanahalli transmission corridor between May 6 and May 24, 2026, the statement said.
During this period, alternative arrangements have been made to manage transmission loads and maintain supply based on demand conditions, it said.
However, officials stated that short-duration load shedding may become unavoidable under technically exigent situations.
"This project is crucial for the long-term energy security of Mangaluru and the coastal region. We request consumers and the public to extend their cooperation during this temporary operational phase," the KPTCL MD stated.
Minister George said that ensuring uninterrupted power supply for the benefit of the public and the industrial growth of the coastal region is one of the government's top priorities.
"Due to certain legal hurdles, the 400 kV transmission line work was delayed. The department has taken special initiative to resolve these obstacles. The Kadandale substation will ensure high-quality power supply for Mangaluru and Udupi regions," he said.
"The department continuously monitored the land-related disputes affecting the project and ensured timely resolution through coordinated intervention. KPTCL has been instructed to complete the works within the stipulated timeline and dedicate the project to public service at the earliest," Gupta stated.
