The Karnataka High Court’s decision to pause the withdrawal of prosecution in 52 criminal cases, including those linked to the Aland riot and communal clash, is viewed as a setback for the state’s Congress government. This move has reignited claims by the BJP of the government engaging in “appeasement politics.”
In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has halted the Congress government’s attempt to withdraw prosecution in 52 criminal cases, including those stemming from the Aland Ladle Mashak Dargah riots in Kalaburagi district. The BJP has labeled the court’s decision as a strong rebuke to the Congress government, while the ruling party asserts that its actions were lawful and did not breach any regulations.
Petitioner Girish Bharadwaj has raised concerns that such decisions could lower the morale of the police force, emphasizing the need to consider the well-being of officers who faced attacks during the riots. Bharadwaj criticized the Karnataka government for allegedly misusing Section 321 of the CrPC, highlighting previous unsuccessful attempts to withdraw prosecution in similar cases.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha, issued an interim order after finding potential flaws in the state’s application of Section 321 of the CrPC for prosecution withdrawals. Bharadwaj criticized the government’s actions, accusing it of prioritizing certain groups’ interests over the police’s morale and disregarding legal protocols.
