High Court stays probe against BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje over ’Tamilians’ remark

High Court stays probe against BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje over ’Tamilians’ remark

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Mar 23, 2024: The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed the legal proceedings against BJP leader and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje in the case over her comments linking people from Tamil Nadu with the Rameshwaram cafe blast.

 

The Union Minister had stated that "People from Tamil Nadu come here [Karnataka], get trained there [Tamil Nadu], and plant bombs here. They placed a bomb in the cafe," referring to the bomb blast at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1. She had retracted the statement and apologised following a massive outrage over her remarks.

The single bench of Justice Krishna S Dixit, suspending further investigation into the case, advised Karandlaje to exercise caution in her public statements, emphasising that leaders from all political parties should demonstrate restraint.

The High Court warned of the consequences of inflammatory speech, drawing parallels with civil unrest in countries like Afghanistan. It asked Karandlaje’s lawyer to convey this message to the BJP leader.

A case was registered against the Union Minister on the directions of the Election Commission, and she was charged under relevant sections of the Representation of the People Act.

The High Court also issued a notice to Karandlaje, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare.

Karandlaje’s comments had stirred a massive controversy, following which the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu approached the Election Commission, accusing the BJP leader of violating the Model Code of Conduct.

Subsequently, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered action against her and directed the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer to take immediate action on the DMK’s complaint.

The Union Minister approached the High Court against the Election Commission’s order.

Courtesy: India Today