Petitioner fined Rs 10 lakh by K'taka HC for suppressing facts

Bengaluru: Rs 10 lakh fine was imposed on a businessman from Udupi district by the Karnataka High Court for suppressing facts in public interest litigation (PIL).

The order was passed by the division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma while hearing the petition filrd by Prashanth Amin.

Prashanth Amin, had made allegations that a fish processing industry, owned by former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, was operating in violation of environmental laws. However, the petitioner had concealed the fact that he had business relations with the very company and a suit filed by him against the company is pending for adjudication.

Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma after hearing the case directed the petitioner to transfer the cost amount to the Advocates Clerks Association within a period of one month.

The bench further said the cost amount shall be utilised for the benefit of the members of the association who faced severe financial constraints during the Covid-19 pandemic. They also directed the deputy commissioner of Udupi district to take steps to recover the cost amount as arrears of revenue by launching suitable proceedings, if the amount is not deposited within the stipulated time.