Bangalore, Sep 13 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today dismissed a writ petition, challenging the appointment of an Administrator to the Bellary City Corporation, and directed the Government to hold elections to the newly upgraded Corporation before the year-end.

Mr Justice B S Patil dismissed the petition filed by former Mayor Gali Somasekhara Reddy and 19 other Councillors of Bellary, challenging the appointment of the Bellary Deputy Commissioner as Administrator.

The petitioners contended that they were elected members and were entitled to remain in office till the newly elected Councillors took charge.

Rejecting the contention, the court observed that their term of office had expired on June 12 last and the impugned appointment was made subsequently through an order, dated July four.

By a notification dated September 28, 2004, the Government had declared Bellary City Municipal Corporation as a larger urban area called Bellary City Corporation. Instead of holding elections, the Government had appointed an Administrator to the new civic body.

This had been challenged by the petitioners in an earlier petition and the Government withdrew the said notification and after the expiry of the term of office of the petitioners, the impugned appointment of administrator had been made.

UNI XR GD GM2100