Karnataka High Court stays SPP's appointment

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed the appointment of senior advocate C.H. Hanumantharaya as the special public prosecutor to argue in the matter against Dr. Madhukar G. Angur, Chancellor of a reputed business school, facing charges of sexually abusing his 33-year-old niece several times over a period of three years.

The court passed the interim order, staying the appointment after a petition was filed by Dr Madhukar G. Angur and Priyanka Angur. Dr Madhukar Angur is the chancellor of Alliance University in Anekal, on the outskirts of the city.

The petitioners argued that the state government has to given an explanation whenever a senior advocate is appointed as the special prosecutor in a particular case, and alleged that the state has appointed Mr Hanumantharaya following the requisition made by the complainant in the case.

Staying the appointment order, the high court also ordered issue of a notice to the state government and adjourned the matter.

The complaint was filed by the victim's mother, who is Dr Angur's sister. The victim, an MBA post-graduate, was managing director of the university since May 2009. The complaint states that between 2011 and 2014, Dr Angur allegedly sexually abused her several times after threatening to remove her from the job if she did not fulfill his demands. She was allegedly depressed and resigned in April 2014.