Karnataka high court gives four weeks time to Reddy

The Karnataka high court on Friday granted four weeks’ time to tourism minister G Janardhana Reddy to file a statement of objection in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against him by a city-based advocate GR Mohan, alleging that the minister had been issued a non-bailable warrant by the JMFC court and yet was not presenting himself before it.

A division bench of chief justice JS Khehar and justice AS Bopanna gave four weeks time after Reddy’s counsel sought time for filing of objections.

Mohan also contended that Ram Chandra Reddy had filed for the quashing of the JMFC proceedings against him in Sandur and obtained a stay on January 24, 2010 seeking relief on the other accused (Janardhana Reddy), as well.

The petitioner’s counsel questioned how Ram Chandra Reddy could seek relief for someone else.

The minister had evaded appearance before JMFC court on several occasions, and consequently the court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant. Each warrant was returned by the police for one reason or the other.

“The police were unable to secure him, though Reddy was available both in Bangalore or Bellary,” he said.