Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today moved the High Court seeking an early final hearing of his petition challenging the appointment of Kabir Makhija and Kishore Sastry as nominated Councillors at the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP).
The High Court on 1st September this year while admitting the petition filed by Adv. Rodrigues had given eight weeks time to the two nominated Councillors to file their further replies and granted liberty to Adv. Rodrigues to seek an early final hearing.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his petition had submitted that the appointment of Kabir Makhija and Kishore Sastry as nominated Councillors was in total breach and violation of law as they did not possess the required special knowledge and experience in Municipal Administration.
Adv. Rodrigues in his petition submitted that while Kishore Sastry in his biodata had stated that his educational qualification was I.T.I in Electricals besides a municipal councilor for one term, that Kabir Makhija had stated that besides a diploma in Civil Engineering he is a Sportsman and did modeling at various events including the Lakme Fashion Week while also being a Councillor for one term.
Adv. Rodrigues also further stated that Kishor Sastry had lost the CCP elections held in March this year while Kabir Makhija’s ward having been reserved for women was contested by his sister who was also defeated.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his petition also challenged the very validity of Section 9 (1) (b) of the CCP Act which makes a provision to nominate up to five Councillors having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration, engineering, architecture, archaeology, heritage etc, while drawing the attention of the High Court that this provision was violative of Article 243R of the Constitution of India which enables a non-elected member to be given a representation in a Municipality only if having special knowledge or experience in Municipal Administration.
