Memo filed by Abraham in NICE case to be placed before CJ

The Karnataka High Court today decided to place before the Chief Justice for appropriate order the memo filed by respondent in his complaint against Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise alleging irregularities in Bangalore-Mysore Express Highway Project.
Justice H Billappa, who was hearing petitions filed by NICE and its sister concerns seeking quashing of the Lokayukta order in social activist T J Abraham private complaint against the firm, decided to place the memo filed by him before the Chief Justice for appropriate order.
Abraham in his memo filed on March 25 refused to place further arguments before the judge stating he was "not receptive" to his arguments and therefore neither he nor his counsel would place their arguments before the bench.

NICE and its sister concern NECE (Nandi Economic Corridor Enterprise) today filed their objections to the memo and also a contempt application under section 15 of the Contempt of Court Act seeking to initiate contempt proceedings against Abraham for "showing disrespect" to the court.
When Abraham, who was present in court, tried to tender his apology after the judge pronounced his decision to place the matter before the Chief Justice, Justice Billappa stated a judge's conduct should be clear after such an accusation and he would reply to it (memo) in a "serious manner at an appropriate time".
On January 29, the Dharwad bench of Karnataka High Court extended its stay on the Lokayukta order in the complaint, till final disposal of the case.

Rejecting an oral plea by Abraham made earlier to vacate the stay during hearing of pleas filed by NICE and its sister concerns seeking quashing of the Lokayukta court order,Justice Billappa had extended stay till final disposal of the matter.
On October 25 order last year, the Lokayukta court had ordered a probe into the complaint by Abraham under section 156(3)CrPC and also attachment of some properties of the accused.