DA case: HC adjourns hearing on plea against withdrawal of sanction to prosecute Shivakumar to Jan 5
Bengaluru, Dec 15: The High Court of Karnataka on Friday adjourned to January 5 the hearing on a petition challenging the withdrawal of the sanction to prosecute Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case.
The Advocate General submitted that the petition quotes several other judgments that need to be studied for an appropriate response and therefore sought more time.
The bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna acceded to the request and adjourned the hearing.
The petition was filed by BJP leader and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.
During the hearing the court questioned how the petitioner has been affected by the government action and why a public interest litigation was not filed instead of a petition.
Yatnal’s advocate Venkatesh Dalawai argued that though there was no personal injury, any person could set a criminal proceeding in motion. The HC accepted this argument.
Based on the Income Tax Department raids and Enforcement Directorate’s probe, the CBI sought sanction from the state government to file an FIR against DK Shivakumar which was granted on September 25, 2019.
Following the change of government, the sanction was withdrawn on November 28, 2023. Challenging the November 28 order of the government withdrawing consent, Yatnal approached the HC alleging that it was 'illegal'.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bommai turns down honorary doctorate, calls for rethink on awards to politicians
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has declined to accept an honorary doctorate from Haveri University, saying it is not appropriate to confer such honours on politicians or those engaged in self-motivated social service.
He said the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours in public life.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Syndicate members of Haveri University for deciding to confer an honorary doctorate on me,” Bommai, MP from Haveri, said in a statement issued on Sunday night.
“However, I have informed the Vice-Chancellor that I will not accept the honour. As I am engaged in public service, I do not seek any awards. I believe the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours. Therefore, I humbly reiterate that I will not accept the honorary doctorate,” he said.
Bommai said honorary doctorates should be awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished and significant service in a particular field over a long period.
“It is my personal view that it is not appropriate to confer honorary doctorates on politicians or those engaged in social service out of self-motivation. I request that this matter be reconsidered,” he added.
Recently, Karnataka Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar proposed the constitution of an expert panel to regulate the awarding of honorary doctorates.
In a letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is also the Chancellor of public universities in the state, the minister highlighted the lack of standards in conferring such honours.
