High court grants relief to BJP MLA Ashwath Narayan, stays FIR on Siddaramaiah remark

BENGALURU: In a relief for BJP MLA Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, the Karnataka High Court has stayed an FIR against him, registered at the Devaraja police station in Mysuru, for his ‘finish off Siddaramaiah’ remark.

In February, a non-cognisable report (NCR) was filed in this regard, but after the change of government, a fresh FIR was filed. Ashwath Narayan had moved the high court to quash the FIR and argued that it was filed with mala fide intention.

Senior advocate Prabhuling Navadagi, who argued the case on behalf of Ashwath Narayan, contended that the remark was make in a political context and not personal.

Arguing for the state, the government lawyer urged the high court that since it is a bailable offence, staying the FIR was not necessary. However, Justice M Nagaprasanna ruled that prima facie, no case is made out under Sec 153 of IPC and stayed the FIR.