Karnataka HC stays case against H D Kumaraswamy regarding ‘false remarks’ against former MP D K Suresh during 2024 Lok Sabha poll campaign

The Karnataka High Court Thursday stayed a case filed against Union Minister and former Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy with regard to alleged false remarks made against former MP D K Suresh during the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at Gubbi in Tumakuru district. The case was heard by a bench consisting of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav.

In this case, the FIR was registered against Kumaraswamy based on the complaint of a flying squad member of the Election Commission on April 19, 2024, under IPC Section 171 G (making false statements in an election), and under Section 123 (4) (publication of a false statement) of the Representation of the People Act. Before the high court, Kumaraswamy had sought the quashing of this FIR, as well as the order of cognisance by the magistrate.

Kumaraswamy’s petition claims that the FIR itself was based on a wrong newspaper report. It also argues that the lower court should not have twice rejected ‘B’ reports or closure reports filed by the police. Before the Karnataka High Court had stayed the matter, Kumaraswamy had been directed to appear before a special court this Saturday.

The petition also argues that statements of witnesses also agreed that Kumaraswamy had not actually mentioned Suresh while making the speech.

The matter is set to be heard further in January, with the stay remaining in force until the next date of the hearing.