The Karnataka High Court has taken a stern stance by issuing a contempt notice to two senior state officials for allegedly flouting a previous court order. Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Umashankar, and Director of Prosecution and Government Litigation Department, Anjali Devi, have been accused of willfully disobeying the High Court’s directive.
The legal action stems from a petition filed by Advocate Sudha Katwa, who highlighted that despite the High Court’s clear order from December 2021 prohibiting the appointment of officials under disciplinary proceedings, Narayanaswamy was appointed as Senior Law Officer in Bengaluru. This appointment has been contested due to Narayanaswamy’s alleged involvement in a recruitment scam that dates back to 2012-13, involving the positions of Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) and Assistant Government Pleader (AGP).
The scam reportedly included serious allegations such as the manipulation of marks, forgery of signatures of High Court justices, and fabrication of official documents. As a result of ongoing investigations, around 60 candidates for the APP/AGP positions have yet to receive postings. However, Narayanaswamy’s appointment to a senior role has sparked controversy and led to the filing of the contempt petition.
The court’s decision to issue a contempt notice underscores the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of government appointments and ensuring compliance with its orders. The case not only highlights the challenges in the bureaucratic appointment processes but also the judiciary’s role in upholding legal and ethical standards within public administration.
