BENGALURU: THE High Court on Wednesday asked the state government to provide evidence that Bengaluru South tahsildar S M Shivakumar obstructed the implementation of Indira Canteen project by removing and dumping the prefabricated segments of the under-construction facility on a road in Hosakerehalli.
Hearing a petition filed by Shivakumar challenging his suspension order on July 22 issued by the secretary of the Revenue Department, a division bench of Justices H G Ramesh and K S Mudagal asked the state government to submit its response on Thursday.
Shivakumar was suspended with immediate effect on charges of serious misconduct pending departmental inquiry under Section 19(1)(D) of the Karnataka Civil Service (CCA) Rules, for allegedly obstructing the ambitious Indira canteen project.
During the hearing, the government advocate read the suspension order and showed photographs of the spot where the segments were removed.
To this, the bench said, “If that is the case, give us proof showing the tahsildar on the spot and removing segments of the canteen. If it is provided, we will dismiss the petition or else we will stay the suspension order.”
This was after the counsel representing the petitioner submitted that neither the tahsildar was on the spot nor did he go in that direction (towards the canteen) on July 15 when the structures of the canteen were removed.
Shivakumar contended that the revenue land in question belongs to the Regional Commissioner and other departments and hence he has no control over it.
The said land has not been included in the places listed for construction of Indira canteens across the city. The suspension order was passed by the revenue secretary on the dictation of the principal secretary to the chief minister, in haste and hurry without application of mind, he contended.