The High Court of Karnataka has dismissed a PIL petition questioning the legality of appointing political secretaries and advisers, with the facilities and status of a Cabinet-rank Minister, to the Chief Minister.
Appointments of K. Govindaraj and Nazeer Ahmed as political secretaries, Sunil Kunagol as chief adviser, and K.V. Prabhakar as media adviser to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were challenged in the petition.
It was contended in the petition, filed by Umapathi S., a Bengaluru-based advocate, that the appointment of political secretaries and advisers with Cabinet-rank status was a violation of Article 164(1A) of the Constitution, which restricts the number of Ministers to be appointed in the Council of Ministers in a State.