The Karnataka high court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutionality of chief minister DK Shivakumar's council of ministers and fined the petitioner ₹50,000.
The court called the plea a publicity stunt and a waste of judicial time, stating that the petitioner misread Article 164(1A) of the Constitution of India.
The article stipulates that the total number of ministers, including the chief minister, shall not exceed 15% of the strength of the legislative assembly, but the number of ministers shall not be less than 12.
The petitioner, Hubballi resident Mangalappa Hullikeri, argued that the 14-member council of ministers violated this article, but the court said that 14 is indeed greater than 12.
The court directed Hullikeri to deposit ₹50,000 with the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority within two weeks.
