Karnataka Public Service Commission member’s ouster upheld by Karnataka High Court

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the Governor’s order suspending Mangala Shridhar from the post of Karnataka Public Service Commission Member for alleged irregularities in recruitment process. Mangala had approached the court questioning the May 14 order issued by the Governor, keeping her under suspension following a charge sheet filed by the CID against her and others in connection with the alleged irregularities and corruption in the process of selecting candidates to 362 gazetted probationers posts in the 2011 batch.

Ms Mangala Sridhar had questioned the suspension order on the ground that the FIR and chargesheet were filed against her without obtaining prior sanction from the competent authority, as she was holding a constitutional post. In addition, the procedure prescribed, in Article 317 of the Constitution, for suspension of a member of a public service commission was not followed, she said.

ARTO postings quashed
The high court has quashed the appointment of at least 115 assistant regional transport officers (ARTOs). The state had made the appointment of these officers in 2004. Later it had issued a fresh gazette publication for the appointment, against which the unsuccessful candidates had approached the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT), which had quashed the appointment of the officers. Some candidates then approached the high court in 2010 challenging the legality of the KAT order. After four years of legal battle, the high court has upheld the order of the KAT resulting in loss of jobs for 115 ARTOs.

‘Clear encroachments’
The high court directed the BBMP to remove encroachments in areas meant for public purpose at Chandra Layout. The court directed BBMP to expedite setting up of scientific garbage disposal plants.