The Karnataka High Court termed the petitioner’s suspension action as a “classic case of abuse of power by a disciplinary authority”. | Photo credit:
The Karnataka High Court has stayed the suspension of the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Ballari City Corporation (BCC) after it removed the banners of a BCC councilor’s husband that were illegally put up at Sangam Circle in violation of the rule banning banners, advertisements, etc., at certain places in the city.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the interim order on the application of Munaph Patel KP, who is acting as AEE (Environment) at BCC. AEE challenged the stay order dated October 9, 2025, issued by the Urban Development Department on the recommendation of the BCC Commissioner.
“The petitioner, who was merely performing his duty in accordance with law, now faces the wrath of suspension only because it is the political masters who are dictating such suspension orders, even on the face of it,” the court said.
While noting that AEE merely enforced the BCC resolution that banned banners, cut-outs or any kind of advertisement at 17 locations, the court said the resolution itself made the point clear.
‘shocking’
“Furthermore, it is shocking that the BCC commissioner, who was a signatory to the resolution banning banners etc. at various places, recommended that the petitioner be suspended,” the court observed.
Dismissing the petitioner’s suspension action as “a classic case of abuse of power by the disciplinary authority,” the court said the order of suspension “being mala fide and a product of abuse of power, will not be sustained.”
Published – 19 Nov 2025 20:33 IST
