K’taka HC dismisses petition against Siddaramaiah and others over law practice licenses

In a major relief to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Law Minister TB Jayachandra, Union minister Sadananda Gowda and others, the High Court on Saturday dismissed a petition against them over law practice licenses.

The petition filed by Hussain Mueen Farooq, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Council of India Trust alleged that the CM and the others continue to draw remuneration without surrendering their sannads (license for practicing law) even after becoming ministers.

The HC had earlier in June sent out notices to Siddaramaiah and 8 others including T B Jayachandra, R V Deshpande, H K Patil, former chief minister M Veerappa Moily, Lok Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge, V S Ugrappa, MLC and former Law minister Suresh Kumar in this regard.

According to reports, Justice Anand Byrareddy observed that there was no material to indicate that they were still practicing as advocates.

The court also pointed out that Advocates Act or the Bar Council of India does not prescribe any punishment for not surrendering sannads even after occupying public office.