Tue Mar 04 18:14:55 UTC 2025: **Karnataka High Court Questions Legality of MLA’s Appointment to Pollution Board**
Bengaluru, March 4, 2025 – The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the state government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the appointment of Congress MLA P.M. Narendraswamy as chairperson of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB).
The PIL, filed by R. Anjaneya Reddy, argues that the appointment violates the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, which specify technical and administrative qualifications for the chairperson’s position. The petitioner contends that appointing a politician contradicts previous High Court and Supreme Court judgments emphasizing the need for technical expertise in such a role.
The petitioner further highlights that while the government established guidelines for the chairperson’s selection in 2023, these were superseded in December 2024 by new rules that omit academic qualifications. The validity of these 2024 rules is already being challenged in a separate pending petition.
The High Court will hear both petitions on March 17.
First Piper 