Karnataka HC stays probe in FIR against Minister Karandlaje for linking Tamilians and café blast
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed further investigation of a criminal case filed against Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje by the Election Commission Flying Squad for a controversial statement by the minister during a recent protest in the city.
Karandlaje, who is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, had alleged during the protest at Nagarathpet in Bengaluru, "Law and order in Karnataka has deteriorated. People who come from Tamil Nadu plant bombs here, people from Delhi chant 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans and people who come from Kerala were involved in acid attacks." Following severe criticism for linking the blast at The Rameshwaram Café with Tamil Nadu, the minister had withdrawn her statement on her 'X' account and also posted an apology to the people of Tamil Nadu.
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The single-judge bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit, which heard the petition on Friday, stayed further investigation in the FIR filed against the minister by the Cottonpet Police.
The judge also advised Karandlaje to exercise restraint while speaking, adding that this applied to all leaders, regardless of the party. "We live in a civilized society. Therefore, tell your client that the judge has requested her to be measured in her speech," Justice Dixit told Karandlaje's advocate.
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
