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.
Justice Krishna S Dixit emphasized the equality of all before the criminal law, asserting that both a postman and the Prime Minister are subject to its provisions.
The Congress party had staged a protest rally to then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommais residence on the Race Course road to press for dismissal and arrest of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa over the suicide of civil contractor Santhosh Patil after he allegedly came under pressure to pay a hefty bribe over unpaid bills. The High Grounds Police in Bengaluru had booked cases against the four Congress leaders for holding protests in a non-designated area and blocking the traffic.
The curious case of a bus-shelter that was not stolen thehindu.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thehindu.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had awarded a tender to a commercial company to manage bus stops at various locations. Consequently, the organisation erected the stainless-steel structure at the Cunningham bus stop on August 21.