The bench of Justice Krishna Dixit of Karnataka High Court on Tuesday has dismissed a petition filed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others seeking to quash criminal prosecution registered for allegedly illegally marching towards the official residence of then CM Basavaraj Bommai, demanding the resignation of then Minister KS Eshwarappa.
The court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on CM Siddaramaiah, state cabinet ministers MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy, and Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala and asked them to appear in person before the people’s representatives court.
CM Siddaramaiah has been asked to appear on March 6th, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on March 7th, Congress Karnataka in-charge RS Surjewala on March 11th, and Heavy Industries Minister MB Patil on March 15th.
The HC observed, “What happens if representatives don’t follow the rule and block the roads when city life is already torture? Representatives need to follow the rule first.”
Siddaramaiah’s advocacy petition has been rejected by the high court.
Congress leaders, including the present Chief Minister, participated in a protest in April 2022, demanding KS Eshwarappa’s arrest in an alleged connection with the contractor Santosh Patil’s death case.
Eshwarappa tendered his resignation following the row over his alleged role in the suicide of the contractor. He was the Deputy Chief Minister of the State in the previous BJP government.
Santosh Patil, a BJP leader and contractor, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on April 12, 2022.
