The Karnataka High Court has stayed the suspension of the State Legislative Council Deputy Secretary KJ Jalajakshi (petitioner).
Jalajakshi was suspended in July for alleged failure to display a portrait of Dr. BR Ambedkar during a Preamble-reading event at the Legislative Council Secretariat on the Constitution Day on November 26, 2024.
Justice HT Narendra Prasad took note of the submission by Jalajakshi that the action against her came to be taken more than seven months after the incident.
"In view of the above, stay of impugned order dated 04.07.2025 vide Annexure-A, till next date of hearing. Liberty is reserved to the respondents to file an application for the modification or vacation of the above interim order," the Court ordered.
However, the single-judge also clarified the stay order will not come in the way of the competent authority to initiate any departmental enquiry against the petitioner in accordance with law.
During the hearing on July 8, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that in response to the notice issued by the authorities, Jalajakshi filed a reply clarifying that she had no role or authority in conducting or overseeing the event held on November 26, 2024.
It was also contended that the suspension order did not indicate that any responsibility was assigned to Jalajakshi in relation to the function.