Supreme Court delivers major setback to HD Kumaraswamy in land de-notification case
New Delhi: In a significant legal blow to Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to interfere in the ongoing trial against him in a controversial land de-notification case.
A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice Rajesh Bindal dismissed Kumaraswamy’s plea, rejecting his arguments for immunity under the amended Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The ruling has paved the way for the trial to proceed, intensifying legal troubles for the former Karnataka Chief Minister.
The case in question revolves around the de-notification of two parcels of land in Hallage Vaderahalli village in Banashankari 5th Stage, Bengaluru. The land, measuring a total of 2 acres and 24 guntas, was initially acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) through a final notification issued on September 12, 1997. An award was subsequently passed in 1998, and possession of the land was officially handed over to the BDA on September 29, 1999. Despite this, the original landowner, Smt. Padma, illegally sold the land to third parties in contravention of the Karnataka Land (Restriction on Transfer) Act, 1991.
Following these transactions, Padma submitted a representation to the then Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy, requesting the de-notification of the land. Despite strong opposition from the BDA, which asserted that the property lawfully belonged to the authority, Kumaraswamy intervened directly. Bypassing the de-notification committee, he personally ordered the withdrawal of the acquisition proceedings, leading to the issuance of a de-notification order on October 1, 2007. Subsequently, in March 2010, the de-notified land was sold for a staggering sum of Rs. 4.14 crore.
A private complaint was later filed against Kumaraswamy, alleging corruption and misuse of office. The Special Judge for MPs and MLAs, in an order dated July 4, 2012, directed the Lokayukta Police to investigate the matter. This led to the registration of a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420 (cheating), 463 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), and 471 (using forged documents as genuine), along with sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Karnataka Land Restriction of Transfer Act.
Kumaraswamy initially challenged the FIR in the Karnataka High Court, but his petition was dismissed on July 27, 2015. He subsequently approached the Supreme Court, which also rejected his plea on October 3, 2016. When he returned to power as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in 2018, a closure report was filed in the case, widely seen as an attempt to suppress the investigation. However, on September 4, 2019, the Special Judge rejected the closure report and issued summons to Kumaraswamy.
In response, Kumaraswamy once again moved the High Court, arguing against the summoning order. However, the court noted the seriousness of the allegations against him and refused to interfere with the trial. Persisting in his legal battle, Kumaraswamy took the matter to the Supreme Court, asserting that as a public servant, he could not be tried without prior sanction. His defense, presented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued that the 2018 amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act provided him with retrospective immunity, shielding him from prosecution.
However, the Supreme Court firmly rejected these arguments, emphasizing that the allegations were of grave concern and involved the misuse of the Chief Minister's office for personal gains. The court upheld the state government’s position, which was represented by senior advocate Harin Rawal and Additional Advocate General Aman Panwar. The state contended that Kumaraswamy was no longer a public servant and, therefore, not entitled to any protection under the law. It was further argued that the 2018 amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act could not be applied retrospectively to shield crimes committed before its enactment.
With this ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively cleared the path for the trial against Kumaraswamy to proceed. The decision is being seen as a major setback for the Union Minister, who now faces serious legal consequences if proven guilty.
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'Homebound' makes it to Oscar shortlist for best international feature
Mumbai (PTI): Neeraj Ghaywan's much acclaimed "Homebound" is among the 15 films shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars, moving a step close to the final five nominations and maybe a win.
The movie, inspired by a true story that became the basis of a news article during the pandemic, has been creating a global buzz since its debut in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival this May.
Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is a fan and has come onboard as an executive producer ahead of the award season.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, "Homebound" is Ghaywan's second movie after "Masaan".
"Homebound" will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina's “Belén”, Brazil's “The Secret Agent”, French drama "It Was Just an Accident”, Germany's "Sound of Falling” and Iraq's "The President's Cake".
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The other movies in the shortlist include Japan's “Kokuho”, Jordan's “All That’s Left of You”, Norway's “Sentimental Value”, Palestine's “Palestine 36”, South Korean hit “No Other Choice”, Spain's “Sirat”, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, “Left-Handed Girl”from Taiwan and Tunisian drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a release on Tuesday.
The award for best foreign film, now re-categorised as best international feature, has so far eluded India.
Only three Indian films have received nominations in the category -- Mehmood Khan’s “Mother India”, Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan”. Deepa Mehta’s “Water”, starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, also received a nomination but it was submitted from Canada.
Gujarati film "Chhello Show" in 2023 was the last film to get shortlisted.
Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to get an Oscar, bagging the coveted prize in 1983 for the film "Gandhi". Other than her, A R Rahman, Resul Pukootty and M M Keeravani have also won individual Oscars.
Team "Homebound" celebrated the shortlist news with posts on social media.
"We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound'!" Johar shared in Instagram Stories.
In a post, the producer said it was difficult for him to articulate how "proud and elated" he was with the news.
"All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography... thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true... from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film! Upwards and onwards...."
Ghaywan also shared the news on X.
"#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," he wrote on X with a special poster of the film.
Jethwa, who plays one of the two friends in the story opposite Ishaan Khatter, said the moment feels "surreal and incredibly humbling".
"To see 'Homebound' being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world," he said as he acknowledged Johar, Ghaywan and co-star Khatter and the rest of the team.
Khatter also shared the news on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Oscar ab dur nahi".
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"Homebound" is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway".
The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.
The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added casting Oscars, animated shorts, cinematography, documentary feature, documentary short, original score and song, sound and visual effects categories.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars. Each category has five nominees, except for best picture, which has 10.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
