Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On Plea Challenging Ex-BJP Leader K Naganna Gowda's Appointment As Chairman Of State Child Rights Panel

A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi directed the state government to file its statement of objections to the petition filed by Advocate Sudha Katwa and posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks.

The plea alleges that the state government in an arbitrary exercise of power and in a non-transparent procedure appointed Gowda as the Chairperson without considering the role, responsibility, functions and duties attached to the Commission.

Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, provides for the appointment of a person of eminence in public life and who has done outstanding work for promoting the welfare of children, as Chairperson and Members of the Commission.

However, according to the petitioner, Gowda has been appointed due to his political connections with the present ruling party and by overriding the shortlisted candidates at the last moment. Gowda was district President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Mandya, according to the petition.

The petition has prayed for issuance of a writ of quo warranto prohibiting Gowda from exercising the duties of Chairperson of the Commission and  alternatively seeking issuance of a writ of certiorari for quashing the government notification dated 21-10-2022 appointing Gowda as the Chairperson.

Case title: Sudha Katwa And State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: WP 38/2023

Appearance: Advocate Umapathi S for petitioner.