Latest news with #BasavarajBommai
United News of India
a day ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Karnataka HC quashes hate speech cases against Bommai
Bengaluru, June 27 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today quashed two criminal cases filed against former Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai, who was facing charges of promoting enmity between religious groups over remarks made during a political rally against the Waqf Board. The allegations stemmed from a protest rally held by the BJP in November 2024, where Bommai had sharply criticised the Congress-led State government and the Waqf Board. He was reported to have said, "If a stone is thrown in Savanur, wherever it falls, it is Waqf land." The comment was perceived as inflammatory and led to charges under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Challenging the FIRs, Bommai moved the High Court seeking quashing of the cases, terming them "politically motivated and legally untenable." Justice S.R. Krishna Kumar, who presided over the matter, ruled in Bommai's favour. 'In light of the vague, bald, omnibus, laconic allegations made in the impugned complaint, coupled with the principles stated by the apex court and this court, the continuation of the proceedings would amount to an abuse of process of law,' the judge said in a strongly-worded order. The Court made it clear that the relief granted would apply solely to Bommai and not to other co-accused in the case, if any. Bommai was represented by Senior Advocate Prabhuling K. Navadgi, with Advocate Shivaparasad Shantanagoudar filing the petitions on his behalf. The verdict is expected to bring significant political relief to the former CM, who has been a vocal critic of what the BJP has called 'discriminatory land policies' allegedly favouring minority institutions under the current government. UNI BDN RN
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
High Court junks BJP leader's ‘wherever stone thrown, Waqf land' remark case
The Karnataka High Court on Friday quashed two hate speech cases filed against BJP leader and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was booked for allegedly promoting enmity between religious groups during a protest against the Waqf Board and the Congress-led state cases stemmed from remarks made by Bommai at a BJP rally in November 2024, where he accused the Waqf Board of encroaching on farmers' and temples' properties. Among the statements cited was, 'If a stone is thrown in Savanur, wherever it falls, it is Waqf land.'advertisementShiggaon police had registered the cases under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which pertains to promoting enmity between different groups on religious or other grounds. Bommai challenged the cases through two petitions, terming the complaints frivolous and politically motivated. Justice SR Krishna Kumar allowed both petitions and quashed the cases, observing that the allegations were 'vague, bald, omnibus, and laconic.' The Court further said that continuing the proceedings would amount to an 'abuse of process of law,' Bar and Bench Court clarified that this relief is limited to Bommai and does not apply to others named in the was represented by Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi, with the petitions filed by advocate Shivaparasad Shantanagoudar. The state was represented by Additional Special Public Prosecutor BN Jagadeesha, who argued that video evidence prima facie suggested that Bommai had committed the the court, after reviewing the complaint and relevant legal precedents, held that the content lacked the necessary ingredients to sustain charges under the said provision.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Karnataka HC quashes case against Bommai for remarks against Waqf board
The Karnataka High Court on Friday quashed two hate speech cases filed against former Chief Minister and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Bommai, according to a report by Bar and Bench. Bommai was accused of promoting enmity between religious groups after he accused Waqf authorities of land encroachment. 'If a stone is thrown in Savanur, wherever it falls, it is Waqf land,' Bommai had said in November 2024. Bommai made these alleged remarks during a BJP rally to condemn the Waqf Board and Siddaramaih-led government for allegedly grabbing the properties of farmers and temples. Court says complaint vague, quashes proceedings against Bommai Following his remarks, Bommai was booked under Section 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity between groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). Terming the criminal complaints frivolous and vindictive, Bommai filed two petitions and challenged the complaint. Justice SR Krishna Kumar, while hearing the case, noted, "In light of the vague, bald, omnibus, laconic allegations made in the impugned complaint, coupled with principles stated by the apex court and this court.. I am of the view that the continuation of the impugned proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law.. allowed, quashed." Waqf Bill 2025 In the early hours of April 3, 2025, Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after a 12-hour-long debate on it. While leaders of the Opposition parties accused the Centre of interfering in the religious affairs of Muslims, the latter defended themselves by denying all the allegations. The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to bring reforms to the management of Waqf properties in India. The Bill was passed with a 288 majority in the Lok Sabha and was passed in the Rajya Sabha on April 4, 2025. The bill received 128 votes in favour and 95 against and now awaits President Droupadi Murmu's assent to make it a law. Earlier this month, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Centre is working to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka high court cancels 2 hate speech FIRs against Basavaraj Bommai
Jun 27, 2025 02:59 PM IST BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court on Friday quashed two hate speech cases registered against former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Bommai for his speech at a protest rally in November last year that accused the state's Waqf Board of grabbing farm land in the state. (X/BSBommai) Justice SR Krishna Kumar quashed the cases against the Haveri Lok Sabha MP, noting that his comments at the did not constitute the offence of promoting enmity between two groups for which he had been booked under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The judge said the allegations against Bommai were vague, and allowing the proceedings against him to continue in the case would amount to an abuse of the process of law. The FIRs against Bommai were registered following a protest rally organised by the BJP in November 2024 to condemn the Waqf Board and the state's Congress government for allegedly grabbing properties of farmers and temples. At one rally in Savanur taluk in Haveri district, Bommai said that if one threw a stone anywhere in Savanur, it would land on a Waqf property. 'If the impugned complaint and FIR is perused keeping in mind the principles elucidated, it is clear that except stating that wherever a stone is thrown, Waqf property is to be found. Apart from that, there are no allegations to attract the offence. In light of the vague, bald, omnibus, laconic allegations made in the impugned complaint, coupled with principles stated by the Apex Court and this court, I am of the view that the continuation of the impugned proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law,' justice Kumar said.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Karnataka HC junks FIR against ex-CM Basavaraj Bommai's ‘wherever stone is thrown, Waqf property is found' comment
The Karnataka High Court on Friday quashed a criminal case registered against Lok Sabha MP and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, accused of making an objectionable statement during a protest rally to condemn the actions of the Waqf Board and the state government. He had alleged that they had grabbed the properties of farmers and temples. Bommai was booked on allegations that he promoted enmity between religious groups by accusing Waqf authorities of land encroachment. The alleged comments were reportedly made during a protest rally organised by the BJP in November 2024 to condemn the Waqf Board and the Congress-led State government for allegedly grabbing properties of farmers and temples. Among other comments, Bommai is said to have commented that "if a stone is thrown in Savanur, wherever it falls, it is waqf land." While allowing the BJP leader's petition, the High Court bench said, 'If the impugned complaint and FIR is perused keeping in mind the principles elucidated it is clear that – except stating that wherever a stone is thrown, Waqf property is to be found – Apart from that there are no allegations to attract the offense.' "In light of the vague, bald, omnibus, laconic allegations made in the impugned complaint.. coupled with principles stated by the apex court and this court.. I am of the view that the continuation of the impugned proceedings .. would amount to abuse of process of law.. allowed, quashed," Justice SR Krishna Kumar said. He was booked under Section 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity between groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). This was challenged by Bommai through two petitions, which contended that the criminal complaints were frivolous and vindictive, a Bar and Bench report said. According to the report, the High Court clarified that the order was restricted to only Bommai and will not apply to an other persons accused in the case. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament during the budget session in April. The President also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, which was passed by the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against it, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it. The bill, first introduced in August last year, was revised following recommendations by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. It amends the original Waqf Act of 1995, aiming to streamline the administration of Waqf properties across India. Key features include improving the registration process and incorporating technology to enhance the efficiency of Waqf board operations. (With inputs from agencies)
