Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jul 21: The Central Election Commission (CEC) has objected to the action of the Reddy brothers in seeking the intervention of the state High Court in the case pertaining to the explanations called from them by the CEC, relating to the allegations of holding positions of profit and getting involved with illegal mining.

Ministers, Janardan Reddy, Karunakar Reddy, and Sriramulu, had been asked by CEC to give their replies to the said allegations. The ministers had approached the High Court, seeking additional time to file their replies. The CEC, in its objections filed before the bench of the High Court headed by Mohanashantana Goudar, said that the ministers had the option of approaching the commission for extension of time to file their replies. It said that the concerned were not in order in seeking the intervention of the High Court in this case, as it feels that the case does not fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

“The complaint filed against the three ministers falls under The Representative of the People Act. Complaints filed under this act can be considered only by the Election Commission. Under the said act, the High Courts or any other courts, can neither issue notices, nor intervene in the issues concerned”, the commission has contended. The objection also cites a Supreme Court verdict of 1965, laying down these principles.

The bench, after hearing the arguments and counter arguments, directed legislative council member, K C Kondaiah, who had sent his above complaint to two other parties to the case, state government and the Governor, to file an affidavit on the issue. The hearing has been adjourned to July 26.