Relief for HD Kumaraswamy as Karnataka High Court stays SIT probe in land case
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy by staying the proceedings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged land encroachment in Kethaganahalli, Ramanagara District.The decision comes after Kumaraswamy challenged the formation of the SIT, which had been constituted by the state government in January 2025 to investigate accusations of illegal land occupation.advertisementThe court, during a hearing held on June 19, observed that prima facie there appeared to be no formal notification issued to accompany the Government Order that formed the SIT.
Justice ES Indiresh, who presided over the matter, noted this procedural lapse and ordered that both the Government Order forming the SIT and the summons issued to Kumaraswamy be stayed until the next date of hearing.The High Court also directed the Learned Government Advocate to take notice in the case. Senior Advocate Udaya Holla and Advocate Nishanth AV appeared on behalf of the Union Minister.This ruling offers significant relief to Kumaraswamy, who had contested the legality of the SIT's constitution and its summons in relation to the land encroachment charges.Kumaraswamy had previously called the land survey in Ramanagara politically motivated, accusing the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of targeting him. 'Earlier, SITs were under IPS officers, now they are under IAS officers too,' he mocked.advertisementHe had claimed he legally purchased the Kethaganahalli land in 1984 and has been unfairly scrutinised for decades. 'Unlike Siddaramaiah, I have not looted government land. Let them investigate - I have nothing to hide,' he had said.Criticising the survey process, he had alleged it was planned without notice and questioned the sudden emergence of complaints. He had also claimed to have records of others involved in illegal land deals.
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