Anticipatory bail granted by High Court to MLA Vishwanath
3 Sep, 2014Based on information obtained under the RTI Act, Bangalore-based social activist, V Shashidhar, had filed a private complaint against Yelahanka MLA, S R Vishwanath. He had alleged that between 2000 and 2005, Vishwanath was working as a mechanic at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and drawing salary while at the same time, he was working as a member of the Bangalore Urban Zilla Panchayat and drawing the salary and perks from there too. The complaint says that the service rules of HAL barred employees from contesting election to a local body.
Shashidhar has contended that the conduct of Vishwanath was in violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and filed an FIR against him. Vishwanath submitted that the HAL authorities were informed about his contesting the Zilla Panchayat election and claimed that there was no violation on his part. He moved the High Court for anticipatory bail which was granted by the bench of Justice R B Budihal with the directions to furnish a bond of Rs 25,000 and not to tamper with the evidence.