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Hans India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
High Court stays defamation case against CM
The High Court has stayed the trial proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a high-profile defamation case filed by the BJP, which alleges that the Congress leader defamed the party through front-page newspaper advertisements accusing the previous BJP-led state government of large-scale corruption. A single-judge bench headed by Justice S R Krishna Kumar passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Siddaramaiah seeking to quash the private complaint lodged by BJP state secretary and Legislative Council member B.S. Keshav Prasad. During the hearing, Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, appearing for the Chief Minister, argued that the trial court had already stayed proceedings against the other accused in the same case and hence the same relief should be extended to the Chief Minister as well. After considering the submissions, the bench ordered a stay on the trial pending further hearings. Advocate Surya Mukundaraj also appeared for the petitioner. The defamation case dates back to the run-up to the May 2023 Assembly elections when the Congress made corruption allegations a central theme of its campaign. On May 5, 2023, the Congress published advertisements on the front pages of major Kannada and English newspapers, branding the BJP regime as a '40% commission government.' The ads alleged that the BJP had institutionalised corruption by fixing bribes for postings and tenders, and that kickbacks of 25–30% were being taken in Covid supplies, public works, temple and mutt grants, midday meal eggs, and road projects. The ads concluded with the sensational claim that the BJP government had siphoned off ₹1.5 lakh crore over its term, urging voters to reject what the Congress labelled a 'Trouble Engine Government' — a pun on the BJP's 'Double Engine Government' pitch. Following their defeat in the polls, the BJP hit back legally, claiming the allegations were baseless and amounted to a malicious attempt to tarnish the party's image, mislead voters, and influence the election outcome. The private complaint names not only Siddaramaiah but also Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as responsible for approving and disseminating the advertisements. While the stay provides temporary relief for Siddaramaiah, the case is expected to remain a point of political friction as the BJP continues to accuse the ruling Congress of crossing ethical lines during the bitterly fought election. The matter will next come up for further hearing in the High Court.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka HC bars government from filing final report in Bengaluru stampede case without permission
In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the state government not to file the final report in the case related to the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, which involved Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and event partner DNA Entertainment Networks, without the court's prior approval. Karnataka High Court. (HT_PRINT) Justice S R Krishna Kumar, who was hearing a batch of petitions connected to the tragic incident, said the matter would be heard next on August 5, and extended all interim orders passed in the previous hearings. Also Read - Bengaluru airport to get 'Kalaloka' store showcasing Karnataka's iconic GI-tagged products 'The respondent is directed not to file the final report without leave of the court,' the judge stated during the hearing, effectively restraining the state government from moving forward with the chargesheet at this stage. The directive came after counsel for Royal Challengers Sports Pvt Ltd (RCSPL), the company that owns the RCB franchise, argued that submitting the report prematurely could cause serious and irreversible reputational damage to the organisation. The company also asserted that it had been fully cooperating with the investigation. Taking this into account, Justice Kumar orally instructed the state counsel, 'Don't file [the final report] without the court's leave.' In response, the government's legal representative assured the bench that no immediate action would be taken, saying, 'Nothing will happen in the next one week or 10 days.' The court further noted that rushing to file the final report could prompt the petitioners to seek additional legal relief. 'If you go ahead and file, they may come back seeking amendments or fresh petitions. It's better to complete everything before moving forward,' the judge remarked. Also Read - Bengaluru Metro: Commuters can now buy tickets on these nine popular apps. Check details During the hearing, DNA Entertainment Networks Ltd, which co-organised the event, also raised concerns. Their counsel informed the court that the FIR registered against the firm was hampering daily business, as the company had to disclose the ongoing criminal case in all contractual and commercial dealings, creating complications and reputational issues. After hearing submissions from all parties, the bench ordered that the interim protection granted earlier would remain in force until the next hearing. The stampede, which took place outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium last month during a ticketing event, left 11 people dead and several others injured, drawing widespread criticism and triggering multiple legal proceedings. (With PTI inputs)
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Karnataka HC bars police from filing chargesheet in Bengaluru stampede case
The petitioners requested the court to issue the restraining order, arguing that filing a chargesheet before the court ruled on the validity of the FIRs could affect their case Rahul Goreja New Delhi The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered that the police must seek its prior approval before submitting any final report or chargesheet against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), event organiser DNA, or other parties in connection with the stampede incident at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, according to a report by Bar and Bench. The bench of Justice SR Krishna Kumar passed an interim order while hearing a batch of petitions filed by RCB, its marketing head Nikhil Sosale, DNA, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), seeking to quash the first information reports (FIRs) filed against them. Why? The petitioners requested the court to issue the restraining order, arguing that filing a chargesheet before the court ruled on the validity of the FIRs could affect their case, the report added. In response, the court directed the state not to file the chargesheet.' "Relist on August 5. Meanwhile, respondents not to file final report without leave of the court. Interim order extended till the next date of hearing," the Court ordered, as quoted by Bar and Bench. "Otherwise if you file then they (petitioners) will say permit us to amend, fresh petition. So you complete everything," it added, as quoted by LiveLaw. However, the state government's counsel informed the court, "My instruction is one month is required for investigation. And nothing will happen in meantime". Earlier, the court had granted the petitioners interim protection from arrest until August 5. Background A large crowd assembled outside Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 to mark RCB's maiden IPL title. The celebration, however, ended in tragedy when a stampede occurred, leaving 11 people dead and 56 others injured. The state has held RCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responsible for the stampede claiming that the organisers never sought permission for the celebratory event and had instead 'invited the whole world' through social media.
Mint
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Bengaluru Stampede: Don't file final report without permission, Karnataka HC tells state govt
The Karnataka High Court on July 8 asked the state government not to file a final report without the court's permission in an FIR lodged against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and event management firm DNA Entertainment Networks Ltd in connection with the June 4 stampede. "Relist on August 5, meanwhile respondent is directed not to file final report without leave of the court. Interim order granted earlier in all the petitions is extended till next date of hearing." Justice SR Krishna Kumar was quoted as saying in the order by legal news website LiveLaw. Relist on August 5, meanwhile respondent is directed not to file final report without leave of the court. The tragic stampede incident took place on June 4 in front of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory parade in Bengaluru after clinching the IPL. The counsel appearing forRoyal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) – which manages RCB IPL told the court that they have been cooperating in investigation and if chargesheet is filed in the meantime then possibility of damage caused to them will be irreparable. At this stage, the court orally ordered the state to "don't file without leave of court." Karnataka state's counsel said, "Nothing will happen in thenext one week or 10days," according to LiveLaw. The court further said, "Otherwise if you file then they (petitioners) will say permit us to amend, fresh petition. So you complete everything". Also, counsel for DNA Networks said during the hearing that the company's daily business is affected as in every contract that they enter into, they have to make a declaration that a criminal case is pending against them. After hearing the matter for some time the court adjourned the hearing and continued operation of interim order. (With inputs from LiveLaw)
Hans India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
HC stays trial proceedings against Shivakumar
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted interim relief to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar by staying the trial court proceedings in a criminal defamation case filed against him by the State BJP unit over 'corruption rate card' ads. The court also extended similar relief to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), which is a co-accused in the matter. Justice S R Krishna Kumar, who presided over the matter, issued notice to the respondent and made it returnable on July 29, effectively pausing the ongoing proceedings until further directions. he defamation case arose after a series of controversial advertisements titled 'Corruption Rate Card' were issued by the Congress party in the run-up to the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. The BJP has alleged that these advertisements falsely accused it of institutionalising corruption while in power, claiming that appointments and transfers in government departments came with fixed 'rates' and 'commissions.' According to the BJP, the advertisements--published in local newspapers and promoted online--damaged the party's public image. The BJP has termed the Congress's claims as entirely fabricated and 'born out of fanciful imagination.' Of particular contention is the Congress party's reference to the then BJP-led state government as a 'trouble engine Sarkar', a wordplay on the BJP or NDA's self-description as a 'double engine Sarkar.' The BJP has argued that this was a deliberate attempt to ridicule and tarnish the party's image ahead of crucial polls. The complaint specifically names D K Shivakumar, in his capacity as KPCC President, and Siddaramaiah, then the Leader of Opposition, as the individuals responsible for commissioning and approving the advertisements. It also claims that Rahul Gandhi amplified the alleged defamatory content by posting it on his 'X' (formerly Twitter) account
