Karnataka tourism minister to pay Rs2,500 fine

The high court on Friday imposed a fine of Rs2,500 on tourism minister G Janardhana Reddy and health minister B Sriramulu for not filing an additional copy of the writ petition challenging the election commission’s notice to them for holding the office of profit.

Congress leader KC Kondaiah, in a complaint submitted to governor HR Bhardwaj, alleged that the Reddy brothers and Sriramulu were involved in mining business. Bhardwaj referred the matter to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Reddy brothers, who were required to appear before the ECI on July 15 last, moved the high court challenging the order to appear before the ECI.

Justice Mohan Shanthan Goudar from the circuit bench of Dharwad on December 8 last had referred the case to be placed before a division bench. As the matter was transferred to the division bench, consisting Chief Justice JS Kehar and Justice VG Sabahit, Reddy was supposed to file an additional copy of his writ petition for the reference of the second judge on Friday.
The petitioner’s advocate was not present when the case came up for hearing, making chief justice JS Kehar impose a cost of Rs2,500 on the petitioners.