SC notice to Karnataka Speaker on disqualified MLAs' plea to contest by-elections

Agencies

September 23, 2019

New Delhi, Sept 23: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Karnataka Assembly Speaker on an interim plea of 17 disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs, seeking its directions to allow them to contest Assembly bypolls scheduled on October 21 in the state.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice N V Ramana, sought a response from the Karnataka Assembly Speaker on the former MLAs' petition. "Issue notice to state (Karnataka) Assembly Speaker (respondent) in the case, and we need a reply from him," the bench said.

The court will hear on Wednesday their petition challenging the disqualification and the interim plea seeking its direction to contest the bypolls.

During the course of hearing, senior advocate and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the disqualified MLAs, pleaded before the court to suspend the bypolls in the constituencies once represented by his clients.

The Election Commission (EC) told the court that the former MLAs can contest the bypolls despite they being disqualified from the Assembly. The by-elections should take place as per schedule, the EC submitted.

"Elections should not be stayed. The state Speaker can disqualify but can't deprive the ex-MLAs from contesting the elections," the commission submitted.

By-elections in Karnataka will take place on October 21 and counting of votes will be held on October 24.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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