Bengaluru, July 9 -- The Karnataka High Court yesterday stayed the State Government's directive to close Jan Aushadhi outlets functioning within Government-run Hospitals.

The interim order was issued by a Bench headed by Justice M.I. Arun in response to a batch of 18 petitions filed by Jan Aushadhi Kendra owners. The petitioners were represented by a legal team led by Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya.

The petitioners argued that the Government's decision was abrupt and made without prior consultation. They contended that the closure order violated their fundamental rights, specifically the Right to Livelihood under Article 19(1)(g) and the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

In a public statement, Surya alleged: "The Ka...