K'taka HC orders stay on case against Eshwarappa for his alleged ‘we don't want Muslim votes’ remark
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday issued an interim stay to the case filed against BJP Leader K.S. Eshwarappa for his alleged, ‘We don’t want Muslim votes,’ remark.
A single-judge bench of the High Court heard the petition filed by KS Eshwarappa seeking quashing of the case against him.
After listening to the arguments of the petitioner's counsel for some time, the bench granted an interim stay to the case and adjourned the hearing to December 15. Advocate M. Vinod Kumar argued for KS Eshwarappa.
Eshwarappa is said to have made the controversial statement during a meeting of the Veerashaiva Lingayat community on April 25, 2023, at the residence of former Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa in Shivamogga, held during the assembly elections. As reported by a private news agency on its social media account, Eshwarappa was quoted saying, “There are 50 to 55 thousand Muslim voters in Shivamogga. We don't want a single Muslim vote.”
Based on the news reported on social media, H. Mahesh, the flying squad team officer of Shivamogga Assembly Constituency, lodged a complaint with the Vinoba Nagar police station on May 6. The Shivamogga JMFC judge granted permission to the Vinoba Nagar police to investigate the case, simultaneously an FIR was registered on May 8. The hearing of the case was initially scheduled for December 2, but the Hight court stayed it.
The petitioner requesting for the quashing of the case, argued that the complaint was filed based on information obtained from an ‘X’ account of a private news agency, since there is no compelling evidence in the case, and investigating it would be a misuse of the law.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
