Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady/New Delhi
Beltangady/New Delhi, July 13: The Supreme Court has refused to grant relief to activist Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, dismissing his petition challenging the externment order issued against him.
A two-judge Bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar rejected the plea and directed Thimarodi to approach the appropriate competent authority for legal remedy as provided under law.
The Bench noted that the Karnataka high court had already dismissed his petition against the externment order and questioned his decision to directly approach the Supreme Court without first exhausting the available statutory remedies.
The externment order was issued by the Puttur Sub-Divisional Officer, directing Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi to leave Dakshina Kannada district and reside in Manvi taluk of Raichur district. The order was passed citing his alleged criminal background and accusations of repeatedly disturbing public peace.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for Thimarodi attempted to link the externment proceedings with the Soujanya case and argued that individuals associated with a local temple had targeted him. The Supreme Court, however, rejected the argument, observing that unrelated issues should not be used to provoke or exploit public sentiments.
The court clarified that if Thimarodi had objections to the externment order, he was free to pursue the appropriate legal remedy by filing an appeal before the concerned appellate authority.
The apex court declined to provide any relief to the petitioner and dismissed the plea. The Karnataka High Court had earlier also refused to stay the externment order.