Relief for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as High Court halts proceedings in criminal defamation case filed by BJP over 2023 poll-time newspaper advertisements
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted an interim stay on the criminal defamation proceedings initiated against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with a controversial advertisement campaign published during the 2023 assembly elections.
The stay was issued by Justice S.R. Krishnakumar, who was hearing a petition filed by Siddaramaiah seeking the quashing of the defamation case, which was originally filed before the Special Court for People’s Representatives.
BJP Filed Case Over 'Corruption Tariff List' Advertisement
The defamation complaint stems from a Congress-sponsored front-page advertisement that appeared in several leading Kannada and English dailies during the election period. Titled “Corruption Tariff List”, the ad alleged that the then BJP-led government in Karnataka had fixed bribe rates for various administrative posts, effectively accusing it of institutionalized corruption.
“The BJP filed the defamation case on grounds that the advertisement tarnished the image and reputation of the party among voters during a sensitive electoral period,” said a legal source familiar with the case.
The BJP named Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as accused in the complaint, which alleged criminal defamation under IPC Sections 499 and 500.
High Court Relief for Now
During Friday’s hearing, Justice Krishnakumar issued an interim stay on the proceedings in the lower court, providing a temporary reprieve for the Chief Minister. The court is expected to take a more detailed view of the merits of the quashing petition in the coming sessions.
“This interim order does not mean the case has been dismissed. It merely halts further proceedings until the High Court makes a final decision,” a senior advocate explained.
Political Backdrop and Legal Implications
The advertisement controversy had become a flashpoint during the Karnataka elections, with the BJP accusing the Congress of spreading false and malicious content to influence voters. The Congress, on the other hand, defended the ad as a truthful representation of alleged corruption during the BJP's tenure.
This High Court stay order comes at a time when both parties are gearing up for the upcoming by-elections and local body elections, and the case is being closely watched for its political and legal consequences.
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