Civic agency failed to submit objections in 5-year-old case challenging employee’s promotion as deputy public relations officer
BENGALURU:
In a major setback to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP), the civic agency has been penalised Rs 10,000 by the Karnataka High Court.
The fine pertains to a case filed by BBMP employee V Manjunath (currently working in the Administrator’s office) challenging the promotion of Suresh Lingaiah as deputy public relations officer of the civic agency. BBMP had failed to file its objections to the case in the last five years.
Though the High Court order on the penalty was passed on October 22 — and has come to light now — BBMP is reportedly yet to deposit the amount in court.
The judge hearing writ petition 14094/2015 on October 22 said, “Matter is of the year 2015. Petitioner has sought for writ of quo warranto in respect of second respondent holding the post of deputy public relations officer.
Show the rules:HC
“First respondent, BBMP Commissioner, is hereby directed to furnish rules of recruitment or executive order of the state government’s urban development department to fill the post of deputy public relations officer on or before the next date of hearing, failing which BBMP is hereby directed to pay costs of Rs 5,000 to the High Court legal services committee…”
“… At this stage, respondent prays that the matter may be taken up after the Dasara vacation. Hence, the cost is modified from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000,” the order maintained.
TheBengaluruLive to follow up
Subsequently, the hearing was held on November 3 in which the matter was disposed of. Once the order is updated on the Karnataka High Court’s website, TheBengaluruLive will file a detailed story on the need for deputy public relations officer Suresh to step down from the post (current BBMP Commissioner N Manjunatha Prasad has to initiate the procedure) and revert to his earlier post as first division assistant post. Suresh had leapfrogged the post of manager to become deputy public relations officer with the help of the then BBMP Commissioner. In the process, the rules were allegedly bent to create the PR post.
