Karnataka HC rejects pleas seeking SC/ST, OBC quotas in Advocates Association
Bengaluru, Feb 1 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Saturday dismissed petitions requesting reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, in the governing council of the Advocates Association, Bengaluru (AAB).
Justice R Devdas rejected the petitions filed by the All India Backward Classes Advocates Foundation and the Karnataka SC/ST Backward Classes and Minorities Advocates Federation, advising the petitioners to take their case to the Supreme Court instead.
The petitioners had sought caste-based reservation in AAB’s governing council, citing a recent Apex Court order mandating 30 per cent reservation for women in the body.
However, the High Court clarified that the Supreme Court’s directive was issued under Article 142 of the Constitution, which grants it special powers to pass necessary orders for complete justice.
Since AAB’s bye-laws do not currently include caste-based reservations, the High Court stated that it could not invoke its authority under Article 226 to grant a similar directive.
Despite dismissing the petitions, the court acknowledged the petitioners’ concerns that AAB has never had an SC/ST or OBC office bearer. It also took note of their argument that since AAB had already introduced reservations for women, it should consider similar measures for marginalised communities.
The court further observed that AAB comprises members of the Bar and receives state funding.
The petitioners contended that once the association introduced reservations for women, it opened the door for implementing all constitutionally mandated reservations, whether vertical (caste-based) or horizontal (gender-based).
However, the High Court refrained from commenting on AAB’s decision to implement the Supreme Court’s order.
It maintained that if the petitioners believed they were entitled to similar benefits, they should approach the Supreme Court.
Earlier, on January 24, the top court had directed AAB to ensure 30 per cent representation for women in its governing council and to reserve the treasurer’s post exclusively for women.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh had issued this ruling to promote gender inclusivity in the association’s leadership.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
