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.
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."
The court in its order further clarified that the
ruling would only apply to Bommai and not others who have been accused in the
case.