Karnataka High Court stays FIR against former deputy chief minister R. Ashok

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday has stayed the FIR and further proceedings against former deputy chief minister R. Ashok with regard to alleged irregularities in regularisation of bagair-hukum land during 1998-2006. The court has stayed it till March 31.

Based on a complaint, the ACB has registered an FIR under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It is alleged that when R. Ashoka was chairman of the Bengaluru South Taluk Land Regularisation Committee in his capacity as the BJP MLA representing Uttarahalli, 2,500 acres of unauthorised land was allotted in 75 villages of Bengaluru South taluk.

The petitioner, Mr Ashok, had approached the court stating that it was a politically motivated case and sought directions to quash the case. Judge retires

One of the women judges in the Karnataka High Court Justice Rathnakala, retired on Thursday.With this, the present strength of judges in Karnataka High Court is 24, as against the sanctioned strength of 62.