The Karnataka High Court has granted a temporary stay on the cancellation of membership of Belagavi Municipal Corporation Mayor Mangesh Pawar and corporator Jayant Jadhav.
The stay puts on hold the Regional Commissioner’s order disqualifying the duo in connection with the controversial ‘Khau Katta/Tinasu Katte’ case. The court has also postponed the next hearing to Monday.
The disqualification stemmed from a complaint filed by social worker Sujit Mulgund. After an inquiry, Regional Commissioner had ruled that Pawar and Jadhav were in violation of regulations, prompting their disqualification. Their appeal to the Urban Development Department was also dismissed by department secretary Deepa Cholan, who upheld the regional commissioner’s verdict.
The issue relates to shops at ‘Khau Katta’ that were allegedly acquired in the names of the wives of Pawar and Jadhav before the municipal elections. After taking office, they were expected to return the properties to the corporation. However, it is alleged that they continued to benefit from them, directly or indirectly.
MLA Abhay Patil had earlier asserted that the High Court would likely intervene in favour of Pawar and Jadhav. As anticipated, the court’s stay has brought temporary relief to both individuals.