The Karnataka High Court on Friday (June 27, 2025) canceled two criminal cases registered against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister of the state Basavaraj Bommai. In these cases it was alleged that he had made objectionable remarks during a protest criticizing the Waqf Board and the State Government for alleged encroachment on the properties of farmers and temples.
Justice SR Krishna Kumar accepted the plea of Basavaraj Bommai, in the order, which requested the cancellation of the proceedings initiated by the Shiggaon Police (BNS) under Section 196 (1) (A) of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), which is related to promoting disharmony among various groups on a basis like religion or caste."Text-Align: justify;"> Senior Advocate Prabhuling of Basavaraj Bommai in court. Nawadgi argued that complaints lack the required elements to make a case under Section 196 (1) (A). In response, Additional Special Public Prosecutor BN Jagdish argued that the video evidence of the protest shows that Basavaraj Bommai has committed the crime.
After investigating the complaint and citing the affiliated orders of the Supreme Court and High Court, the judge found that the allegations are very unclear and there is no concrete basis.
The judge said that ‘Wherever you throw stones, the property of Waqf is found’ Basavaraj Bommai, apart from the statement of Bommai, there were no specific elements in the complaint which could maintain the allegations under the said provision. The court said that taking forward the case would be misused by the legal process and canceled the proceedings against Basavaraj Bommai. The judge clarified that this relief is limited to Basavaraj Bommai and it does not apply to other accused named in the FIR.