Karnataka High Court Dismisses Cases Against Former CM Basavaraj Bommai
In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has dismissed two cases against former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was accused of inciting communal tensions during protests against the Waqf Board. The court found the allegations vague and politically motivated, emphasizing that continuing the proceedings would misuse legal processes. This decision is specific to Bommai and does not affect others named in the FIR. The ruling highlights the complexities of political discourse in the region and raises questions about the implications of such accusations.
Jun 27, 2025, 19:12 IST
Court Ruling on Religious Tensions
The Karnataka High Court ruled on Friday to dismiss two cases against former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who faced allegations of inciting communal discord during protests against the Waqf Board and the Congress-led state government. These cases stemmed from comments made by Bommai at a BJP rally in November 2024, where he accused the Waqf Board of encroaching on farmers' and temple lands. The statements referenced that if a stone were thrown in Savanur, it would land on Waqf property.
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The Shiggaon police had filed cases under Section 196(1)(A) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS), 2023, which pertains to promoting enmity between different groups on religious or other grounds. Bommai challenged the cases through two petitions, arguing that the complaints were trivial and politically motivated. Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar accepted both petitions and dismissed the cases, noting that the allegations were vague, unfounded, and ambiguous. According to reports from the Bar and Bench, the court further stated that continuing the proceedings would constitute an abuse of legal process.
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The court clarified that this relief is specific to Bommai and does not extend to other individuals named in the FIR. Senior advocate Prabhuling K. Navadgi represented Bommai, while the petitions were filed by advocate Shivaprasad Shantanagoudar. The state was represented by Additional Special Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadish, who argued that video evidence prima facie indicated that Bommai had committed an offense.