BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on the petition filed by Union Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna, who sought to quash the FIR lodged against him by the Lokayukta police. The minister has been accused of facilitating illegal mining during his tenure as chief minister of the state between 1999 and 2004.
Justice N Anand also extended the stay granted by the High Court on all proceedings of the Lokayukta court until the date of pronouncement of final orders.
During the hearing, the complainant, T J Abraham, submitted that his case before the lower court is maintainable as the Supreme Court itself has taken into consideration the first report on illegal mining by the Lokayukta. He mentioned that the report also found mention in the CEC report.
He also submitted that certain important files on de-reservation of forest lands were missing and in December 2002, to which the judge observed, “Show the culpability of the chief minister in the land de-reservation. He cannot be held responsible for all the illegalities committed.”
Senior Counsel Uday U Lalit submitted that the de-reservation to facilitate mining was the decision of the Cabinet based on the national mining policy.
HC Notices to Principal Secretary, Others The High Court on Wednesday issued contempt notice to Principal Secretary of the Department of Primary and Secondary Education Kumar Naik and others in a petition filed over irregularities in appointment of physically challenged drawing teachers in four divisions of the state.