Nikhil Kumaraswamy tests positive for COVID-19
Bengaluru, Apr 17: Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy on Saturday said they have tested positive for COVID-19.
Kumaraswamy could not get a bed in a hospital of his choice where he wished to get himself admitted for treatment, reportedly due to non-availability.
"I request everyone who came in close contact with me over the last few days to isolate themselves and get tested," the 61-year-old JD(S) leader tweeted.
For the last few days, Kumaraswamy had been campaigning for the party candidate in Basavakalyan, where bypoll was held today.
He had got himself inoculated with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on March 23.
Kumaraswamy's wife and Ramanagara MLA Anita Kumaraswamy is under home quarantine on the advice of the Doctors.
His son Nikhil Kumaraswamy who is a Kannada actor and JD (S) youth wing President said in a tweet he too has tested positive and is under medication on the advice of the doctors.
Meanwhile, a statement by Kumaraswamy's media coordinator claimed that the former CM did not get a bed at the city's Manipal Hospital, as per desire.
Also, Health Minister K Sudhakar's intervention to get him bed at the hospital did not bear fruit, it said adding that however, Kumaraswamy managed to find a bed at another private hospital.
Noting that Kumaraswamy had experienced fatigue on Friday evening while he was campaigning in Basavakalyan, the media coordinator's statement attributing to JD(S) MLC H M Ramesh Gowda, said he returned to Bengaluru and retreated to a hotel, instead of going home.
"On contacting doctors this morning and undergoing a test, he was confirmed COVID positive.
Though he wanted to rest at his farmhouse and undergo treatment there, doctors did not agree to it. They asked him not to risk it and that he should get admitted immediately," it said.
The statement said Kumaraswamy will appear before a court in connection with a case via video conference today and after that he will get admitted at another hospital, where he has got the bed.
A source at the Manipal Hospital not wanting to comment on claims made by Kumaraswamy's media coordinator, said there was no bed available at the hospital on the city's Old Airport road.
Kumaraswamy's father and Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda was admitted to the Manipal Hospital on March 31 for COVID treatment and was discharged after recovery on April 5.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is also undergoing treatment at the Manipal Hospital for COVID-19, after he was tested positive on Friday, for the second time in eight months.
Several political leaders belonging to various parties like Yediyurappa, Kumaraswamy, Congress MLAs Eshwar Khandre, Laxmi Hebbalkar, BJP's Maski candidate Pratapagouda Patil among others have contracted the virus during the campaign for bypoll to one lok sabha and two assembly segments in Karnataka.
CM Yediyurappa, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, state Congress chief D K Shivakumar among other leaders have wished Kumaraswamy a speedy recovery.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
