Breather for CM Siddaramaiah in 2022 protest case, SC issues notice, stays further proceedings

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday gave an interim breather to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2022 protest case and ordered a stay on further proceedings and the High Court order rejecting his plea seeking quashing of proceedings and imposing a fine against him.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra also issued notice to the respondents concerned on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s plea. Siddaramaiah and others has moved the Supreme Court against the HC order rejecting his plea seeking quashing of proceedings against him in the 2022 protest matter.

During the hearing, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra remarked that the judgments cited by the petitioner were matters involving politicians. Justice Mishra also remarked that if politicians stage protest, the criminal case has to be quashed, but questioned what about the normal citizens who are protesting.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for petitioner, argued that his clients have a fundamental right. Sibal also said that the case involves a law and order situation, but not a public order allegation.

The 2022 protest matter relates to a march organised demanding the resignation of then BJP Minister K S Eshwarappa following the suicide of a contractor in a Udupi hotel. The Karnataka High Court had, on February 6, dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition. (ANI)