Karnataka HC Seeks State Reply on PIL Against Case Withdrawals
The Karnataka High Court has directed the State government to respond to a public interest litigation challenging the Congress-led administration's directive to withdraw 43 criminal cases, including those related to the 2022 Hubballi riots. Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice M.I. Arun noted a strong prima facie case by the petitioner and scheduled further proceedings for March 17.
2/28/20251 min read
Case Overview:
In April 2022, a derogatory social media post led to significant unrest in Hubballi, Karnataka. A large crowd gathered outside the Old Hubballi Police Station, and the protest escalated into violence, resulting in injuries to police personnel and damage to property. Subsequently, criminal cases were filed against 138 individuals, including AIMIM leader Mohammed Arif, on charges such as attempted murder and rioting. In October 2024, the Congress-led Karnataka government decided to withdraw these cases, a move that has been met with criticism from opposition parties.
Court Analysis:
During the recent proceedings, the Karnataka High Court, led by Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice M.I. Arun, observed that the petitioner had established a strong prima facie case against the government's decision to withdraw the criminal cases. The bench has requested the state government to submit its response to the PIL and has scheduled the matter for further hearing on March 17.
Judgment:
As the case is still under consideration, no final judgment has been issued by the Karnataka High Court. The court's decision will be made after reviewing the state's response and conducting further hearings.