Karnataka HC halts SIT probe against H D Kumaraswamy in land encroachment case
Bengaluru, Jun 19 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted interim relief to Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy by putting a temporary hold on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into alleged land encroachment in Kethaganahalli village, Ramanagara district.
The SIT was constituted by the state government in January 2025 to examine accusations of Kumaraswamy’s involvement in illegal land occupation.
Challenging the legality of the probe, the former chief minister moved the High Court, questioning the procedural foundation of the investigation team.
During the hearing on Thursday, Justice E S Indiresh pointed out that there appeared to be no official notification accompanying the government order that had established the SIT.
Taking note of this lapse, the court stayed both the SIT’s formation and the summons issued to Kumaraswamy until the matter is heard further.
The High Court also directed the government advocate to respond to the petition.
Senior advocate Udaya Holla and advocate Nishanth AV represented Kumaraswamy in court.
The ruling comes as a notable reprieve for the JD(S) leader, who has alleged political vendetta behind the SIT action.
Kumaraswamy has maintained that the land in question was legally acquired by him in 1984 and has long accused the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, of orchestrating a targeted campaign against him.
Slamming the ongoing land survey in Ramanagara, Kumaraswamy had called it a politically driven move.
"Earlier, SITs were headed by IPS officers. Now even IAS officers are leading them," he remarked sarcastically.
He also questioned the legitimacy of the complaints and claimed to possess evidence implicating others in unlawful land dealings.
"I haven’t looted government land like Siddaramaiah. Let them investigate. I have nothing to hide," he alleged.
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Kumaraswamy accuses Cong govt of 'neglecting' farmers in Karnataka
Mysuru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Tuesday accused the Congress government in Karnataka of "neglecting" the farmers in the state and being involved in corruption.
The JD(S) leader took part in an event where President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 1066th Jayanthi celebrations of Adi Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji at Malavalli in Mandya district, which comes under his Lok Sabha constituency.
"I saw a report that 2,800 farmers have died by suicide after this government came to power (in state). The government seems to be not concerned about the farmers. This government on coming to power said that it will give Rs 24,000 crore as loan to 32 lakh farmers for their farming activities, but till November, about Rs 12,000 crore has been paid to 24 lakh farmers, limiting to what was there earlier by managing the books of account," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "These things show the failures of this government. Also, there is a corrupt system. I will not speak about it now. After December 20, I will speak to you in detail. There are a lot of issues to share with you."
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Responding to a question, the JD(S) leader, who turned 66 today, said there is no use of giving any documents. "I'm waiting for the right time."
Regarding the Congress government introducing a bill against "hate speech" in the Assembly, Kumaswamy said it is aimed at silencing the opposition in the state, but they won't be successful.
"What do Congress leaders have to say about their workers' comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi?. He cited slogans -- 'Modi teri kabr khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi's grave will be dug.. if not today, then tomorrow) -- allegedly raised against Modi at a Congress rally in Delhi on Sunday.
