Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 21: Athani MLA, Mahesh Kumathalli, appeared in person in the state high court (HC) on Wednesday February 20 and deposed orally and through an affidavit, confirming that he was neither abducted nor kept in illegal confinement as alleged by the petitioner.

An advocate from Athani, Pramod Dayanand Hiremani, had filed habeas corpus petition in the HC, asking it to direct the police to find out the whereabouts of MLA, Mahesh Kumathalli. He had accused former minster, Ramesh Jarkiholi, of keeping Kumathalli in illegal confinement. In response, Kumathalli presented himself in person before judges of the bench, Justice K N Phaneendra and Justice K Natarajan. During the hearing, advocate for Mahesh, D S Jeevan Kumar, filed an affidavit, confirming that the contents in the habeas corpus petition were not true. He explained to the bench that Mahesh had taken part in the Republic Day programme at Belagavi on January 26, and budget session at Vidhana Soudha in the city on February 13 and 14.

The bench which took on record the above affidavit dismissed the petition.

Additional advocate general of the state government, A N Ponnanna, arguing the case on behalf of the state government, expressed the doubt that prima facie this appears to be a petition filed just to get some publicity. He therefore urged the court to impose heavy penalty on the petitioner for wasting precious court time. The bench, which considered this request, said that it will pass suitable order on February 27.