K’taka HC Stays Proceedings Against BJP MLA Bharath Shetty

The Karnataka High Court has recently stayed proceedings against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Y Bharath Shetty in a case concerning his allegedly provocative speech against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

A single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit has posted the matter for hearing in four weeks and directed that all proceedings be stayed until then.

On July 9, an FIR was registered against Shetty, the legislator from Mangaluru, as per sources. This followed Shetty’s remarks suggesting that Gandhi should be slapped for displaying a photo of Hindu deity Shiva in Parliament and accusing Hindus of violence.

On July 1, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had alleged that BJP leaders, despite claiming to be Hindus, only discuss violence and hatred. During his speech, Gandhi displayed images of Shiva, Guru Nanak, and Jesus Christ, asserting that all religions advocate fearlessness and non-violence.

Shetty was charged with making false statements to incite others and for criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, following a complaint filed by Mangaluru City Corporation councillor Anil Kumar.

On July 11, a Bengaluru court granted anticipatory bail to Shetty. Subsequently, Shetty also approached the Karnataka High Court, seeking to quashed the case against him.