Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court, on Tuesday issued a notice to the state government questioning the appointment of NR Santhosh as political secretary to CM BS Yediyurappa.
A notice was issued to NR Santhosh as well by the division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajith Shetty.
A city-based advocate, S Umapathi had filed a PIL accusing the CM of abusing power and challenged the appointment of Santhosh as the political secretary, with the status of state minister.
He stated that the post of ‘political secretary’ was created and accorded Cabinet status only because Santhosh is the grand nephew of the CM.
The petitioner stated that the CM issued a note dated May 28 directing the chief secretary to appoint Santhosh with immediate effect and the following day, the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, issued a notification on the appointment.
However, stiff opposition within the government and the party workers stopped the order from being given effect. Hence, on June 22, the CM issued another note and Santhosh was appointed the same day.
The petitioner said he had given a representation in October to the office of the Chief Secretary and the DPAR against the appointment. However, the representation was not accepted by Santhosh’s staff and was asked to be sent by post, which too returned unclaimed, reported The New Indian Express.
NR Santhosh hit headlines after news of him attempting suicide came out couple of days ago. While the opposition-the Congress alleged that there was political pressure on Santhosh, which led him to take the extreme step, the ruling BJP denied the same.
However, on Monday evening, after being discharged from the hospital, Santhosh said that he is a strong-willed person, who will not take such a step. He said that his health problems, couple with wrong dosage of medication took toll and he was admitted to the hospital.
