The Karnataka High Court on Thursday adjourned a Bengaluru court to take cognizance of an offense against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy in connection with a criminal case filed against him by the Air Force for allegedly making “false statements” about a candidate from a rural Bengal constituency during the Lok Sabha election campaign in April last year.
Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav passed an interim order staying the November 15 plea of guilty order passed by the Special Magistrate’s Court in criminal cases against current and former MPs and MLAs and all other proceedings against Mr Kumaraswamy.
The flying squad filed a complaint alleging violation of the model code of conduct citing a newspaper report that published Mr. Kumaraswamy’s alleged statement about some persons associated with Kotwal Ramachandra, who was a gangster.
The police filed a ‘B’ report but the special court did not accept it and ordered further investigation. Although the police again filed a ‘B’ report stating that no material was found to commit the offense as alleged in the complaint, the Special Court rejected it and took cognizance of the offense against Mr. Kumaraswamy under Section 171G (False statement in connection with an election) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 123(4) (Corrupt Practices) of the Representation of the People Act.
It was contended in the motion that the order of taking over was mechanical, without legal basis and contrary to law, as the petitioner did not name any persons in his alleged depositions.
Published – 04 Dec 2025 19:57 IST
