Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On PIL Alleging Bias In Distribution Of CM Infrastructure Development Fund To Assembly Constituencies

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a PIL claiming unequal distribution of funds under Chief Ministers Infrastructure Development Program to assembly constituencies represented by ruling party MLAs and constituencies represented by opposition MLAs as violative of Article 14. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha issued notice to the State government on a PIL filed by BJP MLA Jagadeesh Shivayya Gudagunti.

The court said, “Issue notice to the respondents, let a counter affidavit be filed by the respondents in response to the averments made in the petition.”

The counsel for the petitioner submitted to the court that in the 2025-2026 budget the scheme was introduced. The plea states that under the Chief Ministers Infrastructure Development Program (CMIDO), allotment of Rs. 50 crore to the legislative assembly constituencies represented by the MLA's from the ruling party is made and Rs.25 crore to the Legislative Assembly constituencies represented by the MLA's from the opposition party is made.

The plea states that such distribution of funds is in violation of Fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14 and the Directive principles of the State policy under Articles 38 and 39 of the Constitution of India.

Further the plea prays that a mandamus be issued to the respondent to allot Rs.50 crore to Jamkhandi Legislative Assembly Constituency at par with other Assembly Constituencies in the Bagalkot District.

By way of interim relief the plea seeks that pending disposal of the main petition, the court may direct the State to reconsider a representation dated 09/09/2025 and allot Rs.50 crores from the CMIDP to Jamkhandi Assembly Legislative Constituency.

The matter is now listed on January 31, 2026.

Case Title: Jagadeesh Shivayya Gudagunti AND State of Karnataka & ANR

Case No: WP 32024/2025

Appearance: Advocate Anish Jose Antony for Petitioner.