The Supreme Court has stayed the proceedings of a criminal case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others who participated in a protest march two years ago. The court also stayed the proceedings against present Ministers Ramalinga Reddy and MB Patil, and AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala. The Karnataka High Court's order, which imposed fines on the accused, was also stayed. The CM's lawyers argued that the case violated the right to protest and that the protest was peaceful.