Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court issued contempt notice to Health Minister Ramesh Kumar and two other government officials for violating a court directive instead of maintaining status quo.

The court had earlier directed to maintain status quo in the case of a land near two lakes in Srinivasapur taluk of Kolar district and not proceed with construction of community centre.

A divisional bench headed by Justice Jayant Patel issued notices to Dr. Trilok Chandra, Deputy Commissioner of Kolar and Srinivasapur Tahsildar Ravi after verifying the petitioner’s plea.

Public Relations Officer, GKVK Agricultural Science division, Prof. N Subba Reddy had filed an application in HC, citing violation of the judicial order by the trio. He had also provided photos of the building to justify his action.

It may be recalled that High Court in its interim order dated April 18 had asked to maintain status quo in the land around the lake measuring 106.22 acres in Byrapalli village and over 27.34 acres in another lake under Kollur village limits.

The court order reached jurisdictional Tahsildar on April 20 but the revenue land in the lake beds and surrounding area was used to construct community centre, which forced HC to issue contempt notice.