Karnataka HC stays FIR order against minister over Rs 500 bet remark
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka High Court on Thursday stayed a magisterial order directing the registration of an FIR against state Home Minister G Parameshwara and the Deputy Commissioner of Tumakuru district over their alleged involvement in a Rs 500 bet.
"The context in which the alleged offence is made out prima facie lacks mens rea (guilty mind)," Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav said while granting the stay.
During a recent state-level pre-university kabaddi tournament in Tumakuru, Dakshina Kannada defeated Vijayapura 36–26 in the boys’ final.
After presenting the prize, Parameshwara jokingly remarked, "I lost Rs 500. I had placed a bet with the Deputy Commissioner that the Vijayapura team would win."
Based on a private complaint filed by H R Nagabhushan, the 42nd Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court ordered the registration of an FIR against Parameshwara over the remark and directed the police to initiate a probe.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Parameshwara said, "It seems I cannot crack jokes."
The minister said his comment during the match was casual and not intended to promote betting.
"I said it casually during a kabaddi match. In the countryside, we sometimes speak informally. Of course, it may be wrong in the eyes of the law, but what matters is the context in which I said it," he added.
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‘No one bigger than party; if I indulge in anti-party work, action must against me’: Zameer Ahmed
Bengaluru: Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan on Thursday said no individual is bigger than the party and asserted that disciplinary action should be taken even against him if he is found indulging in anti-party activities.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Zameer said, “No one is bigger than the party. Zameer Ahmed Khan is not bigger than the party. If I carry out anti-party activities, action must be taken against me as well.”
He also said that no one in the Congress had targeted him and dismissed suggestions that he was being singled out.
“I am not a leader. I am a public servant and an ordinary worker,” he said.
Referring to the controversy surrounding the ticket issue in Davanagere South constituency, Zameer said no one in the party had made allegations against him and no one had taken his name.
He said if religious leaders had made any statements, they should be asked directly about it.
Zameer further said some religious leaders had expressed disappointment over the denial of the ticket and added that discussions would be held with them.
