In a significant move, the Karnataka High Court has issued a stay on the Congress government’s decision to withdraw prosecution in 52 criminal cases, including those linked to the Aland Ladle Mashak Dargah riots in Kalaburagi district. The court’s interim order follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the government’s move, citing concerns over the invocation of Section 321 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for the withdrawals.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha, raised doubts about the state’s compliance with earlier directives on withdrawing criminal cases. The court observed discrepancies in the government’s actions and the established guidelines set by the Karnataka High Court in a 2025 judgment. Senior advocate Venkatesh Dalwai, representing the petitioner, argued that the withdrawals were not in line with legal procedures and were influenced by political motives rather than legal grounds.
The Division Bench, after reviewing the arguments, granted an interim stay on the government’s decision, preventing the withdrawal of prosecution in the 52 cases until further orders. Notable among the cases are those related to the Aland Ladle Mashak Dargah riots and various protests. The High Court is set to continue hearing the PIL in the upcoming sessions.
Deputy CM G. Parameshwara, the former Home Minister, defended the cabinet’s move, stating that the cases were individually assessed by a Cabinet Sub-Committee and involved activists targeted for political reasons. Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP criticized the decision, labeling it as driven by “vote-bank and appeasement politics.” The High Court’s intervention came after a petition challenged the government’s directive, citing violations of legal processes and court orders.
