» Jagan Arrest Case: High Court Dismisses PIL Against State's Legal Aid To Tainted Ministers
HC Dismisses PIL Against Legal Aid To Ministers
A petitioner had contended that providing legal assistance to ministers facing corruption charges is "arbitrary" and "contrary to the public interest".
The Andhra Pradesh High Court, on Monday, dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the state government's decision to extend legal assistance to ministers who received notices from the Supreme Court in connection with issue of controversial GOs that allegedly helped YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy amass illegal wealth.
While quashing the PIL filed by OM Debara, a retired employee, the court observed that it could not interfere in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as the case is pending before it.
The petitioner sought the cancellation of GOs 3102 and 3158 issued on 7 and 10, respectively, and said that providing legal assistance to those facing a case in the Supreme Court is unconstitutional.
In his petition, Debara contended that according permission to ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao (Roads and Buildings), P Sabitha Indira Reddy (Home), Kanna Lakshminarayana (Agriculture), Dr. J Geeta Reddy (Major Industries) and Ponnala Lakshmaiah (Information Technology) to engage lawyers and offering to bear all legal expenses is arbitrary and contrary to the public interest. (INN)