HC raps Shankar anna for filing PIL sans proof

The Andhra Pradesh High Court today pulled up former Minister and Secunderabad Cantonment Congress MLA P Shankar Rao for filing a public interest writ petition against alleged irregularities in transport of red sandalwood without filing necessary documentary proof.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose observed that the petitioner ought to make out a case for intervention of the court. The court would not conduct a search for the petitioner. The bench also warned that if need be the petitioner would be saddled with a fine of Rs one lakh for wasting the valuable time of the court.

In his plea, Rao had alleged a huge scam in the sale of red sanders. The legislator had also made allegations against Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He had said that red sanders would obtain prices higher than Rs 20 lakh per tonne and accused the CM of being instrumental in selling it (stocks lying with the state government) away at much cheaper prices.