Karnataka HC issues notices on PIL seeking immediate nominations to Karnataka Medical Council

Karnataka HC issues notices on PIL seeking immediate nominations to Karnataka Medical Council

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 22, 2024: Karnataka High Court on April 22 admitted the PIL (Writ Petition WP 10463/2024) filed by Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya seeking order or direction to Karnataka Government to nominate members to Karnataka Medical Council and issued notices to the respondents.

 

Elections to the Karnataka Medical Council were held in January 2020, but due to legal challenge, the assumption of office by the newly elected members was delayed by nearly 4 years, and the new members could assume office in November 2023 following the order by the Hon’ble High Court at Kalaburagi that upheld the elections.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka govt had nominated 5 members to the KMC in January 2020, even before the elections, and the same was immediately challenged by Dr Srinivasa Kakkilaya, and on the directions of the Hon’ble High Court in Dec 2020, the government had to withdraw all these nominations. Even after the assumption of office by the newly elected members 4 months ago, the government has not nominated 5 members to the vacant posts, and due to that, the new President and Vice President of the Medical Council have not been elected, and two of the earlier members of the Council have continued to officiate in these positions. With the election code of conduct in force, the nominations to the KMC, a constitutional quasi judicial body, is further delayed. The petitioner therefore filed the present PIL writ petition seeking orders for immediate nominations to the medical council and for the immediate vacation of offices by Dr. Kanchi Pralhad and Dr. Nagaraj Annegowda who are now officiating as President and Vice President even while not being elected members of the Council. The Hon’ble High Court has admitted this PIL and issued notices to all the respondents.