Bengaluru: Two days after Parvathamma Rajkumar was laid to rest next to her husband's memorial at Kanteerava Studios, a city-based advocate has approached a city court alleging violation of National Flag Code.
The petitioner, Chethan, has filed a private complaint at the 24th ACMM Court against the chief secretary, secretary to the home department and also the Bengaluru Police Commissioner for allegedly disrespecting the National Flag.
He has raised objection over Ms Parvathamma’s body being draped in the National Flag before the funeral, which was conducted with full state honours.
“The Flag shall not be used as a drapery in any form whatsoever except in State/ Military/ Central Paramilitary Forces funeral... Also, the Flag shall not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, train or boat. Draping the Tricolour in a civilian funeral is categorised under the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act of 1971," the advocate states in his complaint.
PIL over open drains
The Karnataka High Court on Friday expressed its dissatisfaction against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), while hearing a PIL on open drains. Following several incidents of deaths in open drains, the Namma Bengaluru Foundation had approached the court in 2014. Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for the foundation, submitted that the PIL also sought directions to the government to punish errant officials, whose negligence had led to deaths of children in such drains.
He submitted that the state has not filed the status report as directed by the High Court in November 2016, even after a lapse of eight months.
The court came down heavily against the Palike and asked its counsel whether he could give an undertaking that all open drains would be closed. It also asked the BBMP about the status of the investigation and prosecution of officials.
The case was adjourned to June 16 for filing of status reports by the state government and the BBMP.
HC notice to state, IAS officer
The High Court on Friday ordered notices to the state government, senior IAS officer M. Lakshminarayana and others, following a PIL filed by the Namma Bengaluru Foundation, challenging the decision of the Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department on a representation seeking permission to prosecute Mr Lakshminarayana. The plea relates to an illegal grant of licence to an eatery in Koramangala when Mr Lakshminarayana was the BBMP commissioner.
