HC grants interim relief to BJP MLA B.P. Harish in Davanagere SP defamation case
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order restraining coercive action against BJP MLA B.P. Harish in connection with a case registered over his alleged derogatory remarks against Davanagere Superintendent of Police (SP) Uma Prashanth.
Justice M.I. Arun, hearing Harish’s petition seeking to quash the FIR filed at KTJ Nagar Police Station in Davanagere, passed the interim order on Friday. The court also directed the MLA to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, notices have been issued to the respondents KTJ Nagar Police and SP Uma Prashanth, who is the complainant, and the matter has been adjourned.
Appearing on behalf of Harish, advocate P. Venkatesh Dalawai argued that the MLA had not intended to tarnish the reputation of the SP. He said the statement was made in the context of district-level ministers allegedly misusing their powers and failing to respect senior officers. He added that Harish had already issued a clarification through a press note.
The counsel further submitted that Harish had not mentioned the SP’s name directly but had made a general comment criticising the system. However, the case has been given a political colour and registered with mala fide intent, amounting to misuse of legal provisions.
The controversy began after SP Uma Prashanth lodged a complaint on the night of September 2. She alleged that during a press conference earlier that afternoon at the Davanagere Press Club, Harish had insulted her by comparing her conduct to that of a “Pomeranian dog belonging to the Shamanur family.” The complaint said Harish further remarked that the SP seemed to treat only those in power with importance and failed to respect all elected representatives equally.
Calling the MLA’s words “derogatory, offensive and deeply humiliating,” SP Uma Prashanth stated that the comments caused her severe mental distress and damage to her dignity, especially as a woman and as a senior police officer.
Based on her complaint, police booked Harish under Sections 79 (outraging the dignity of a woman) and 132 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of duty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Challenging this FIR, Harish approached the High Court seeking relief.
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Karnataka govt to strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy, after HC directive
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.
The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to "strictly and faithfully" implement the menstrual leave policy, pending formal enactment of the proposed legislation.
"I welcome the directive issued by the Karnataka High Court in support of our state government's ambitious menstrual leave policy," Lad said.
The state government has taken firm steps to implement the menstrual leave policy comprehensively, and as a model to the country, he said in a post on 'X' on Thursday.
"In line with the court's opinion that menstrual leave is a matter of women's dignity, justice, and humane recognition of their lived realities, we will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy--equivalent to one day per month, or 12 days per year--across all sectors at the earliest," he added.
The court had said that in the interregnum, it shall be incumbent upon the state to ensure effective operationalisation of the policy through the issuance of suitable guidelines, circulars, and administrative instructions, as may be necessary to secure its uniform, consistent, and rigorous implementation across all sectors.
The court issued the directive while hearing on a petition filed by 41-year-old Chandravva Hanumant Gokavi, who works in a hotel in Mudalgi of Gokak taluk in Belagavi district, before the Dharwad bench, seeking implementation of the November 20, 2025, order of the government providing one-day menstrual leave for all working women.
