Maverick evangelist and president of defunct Praja Shanti political party K A Paul is back in the news, this time with a surprising development.
On Friday, enthusiastic workers of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, who have been agitating against the privatisation of the steel plant by the NDA government, performed “palabhishekam” (milk bath) for Paul’s flex pictures and raised slogans hailing him.
Reason: Paul filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition in Andhra Pradesh high court on Friday seeking a direction to the centre to stall the privatisation of Rasthriya Ispat Nigam Ltd, a corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
The petition came up before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami and Justice C Praveen Kumar, which heard the matter.
However, the bench raised a question asking whether the petition be maintainable, as it was filed by Paul through his GPA Jyothi Begal.
Paul’s counsel Yelamanjula balaji, Cousel argued that as per Rule 4(b) of Andhra Pradesh Writ proceedings rules – 1977, the petitioner can file a PIL through a GPA.
He also argued that petitioner is a world-famous evangelist and he travels all over the world for his peace mission. Therefore, he has filed a PIL through GPA holder.
The chief justice said that the court will decide, whether the PIL is maintainable with a GPA in next hearing and posted the matter to next week. Sources say the high court might strike down Paul’s petition on technical grounds.