Bengaluru: In a serious blow to the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday quashed the state’s controversial order of withdrawing 43 criminal cases, including those related to the high-profile Hubballi riots. The order, originally issued on October 10, 2024, had triggered a political storm and was challenged through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Girish Bhardwaj.
The two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind, ruled that the state government’s action was “legally untenable” and violative of Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which outlines the lawful grounds and procedure for withdrawal of criminal proceedings.
The court’s decision has not only embarrassed the government legally but has also provided reason for BJP and JDS , which has been relentlessly attacking the Congress administration over the alleged misuse of executive powers for political appeasement.
A Big Slap on the Face of the Congress Government!
The Congress Government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, had attempted to withdraw 43 criminal cases, including those related to the Hubli riots and other serious offences, by invoking Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure…
— Girish Bharadwaj (@Girishvhp) May 29, 2025
High court reprimands state, cites violation of criminal law
The bench observed during the hearing that the withdrawal of criminal cases, particularly those involving political leaders and sensitive communal incidents, cannot be justified in the absence of strong legal reasoning and public interest.
“If the cabinet’s decision is found to be illegal, this court cannot endorse it,” the judges stated, noting that the state appeared to have favoured certain individuals for political reasons.
The court upheld the argument made by the petitioner’s counsel, who said that the cases had been dropped arbitrarily, often favouring politically influential persons, including those with communal backgrounds. The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s role in ensuring executive accountability and preventing the misuse of state power to override the rule of law.
Chief Minister unaware, opposition jubilant
When questioned by reporters after the verdict, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appeared unaware of the development.
“I don’t know that the court has quashed the order. I will speak about it once I get the details,” he told the media.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and MLA C.T. Ravi welcomed the verdict, calling it a victory for justice.
“This government shelters communal rioters and targets Hindus. The cabinet itself is infected with a communal virus. If a Hindu is killed, he’s labeled a rowdy, but if someone else dies, they cry foul and play victim politics. The court’s verdict is a timely and necessary correction,” Ravi said, directly attacking the Congress leadership.
He also linked the recent Udayagiri violence to the government’s “dangerous precedent” of withdrawing riot-related cases, warning that such appeasement could lead to more law-and-order crises.
ಹಳೇ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಠಾಣೆ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಲ್ಲು ತೂರಿ ಬೆಂಕಿ ಹಚ್ಚಿದ್ದ ಮತಾಂಧ ಕಿಡಿಗೇಡಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಅಮಾಯಕರ ಪಟ್ಟ ಕಟ್ಟಿ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಮುಂದಾದ @INCKarnataka ಸರ್ಕಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಭಾರೀ ಹಿನ್ನಡೆ ಆಗಿದೆ.
ಗಲಭೆಕೋರರನ್ನು ಅಮಾಯಕರು ಎಂದು ಬಿಡಲು ಹೋದ @siddaramaiah ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ನಿರ್ಧಾರವನ್ನು ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್ ತಡೆ ಹಿದಿದಿದೆ.
ವೋಟ್ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಗಾಗಿ… pic.twitter.com/jDqDz9F1EW
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) May 29, 2025
Hubballi riot case
The most prominent among the withdrawn cases was related to the Hubballi riots of April 2022. The riots erupted after a controversial social media post by a young man sparked communal tensions. Mobs pelted stones at the Old Hubballi police station, set vehicles on fire, and injured two police personnel. In total, 11 FIRs were registered and over 155 individuals were booked. More than 10 police vehicles were damaged in the chaos.
Despite the gravity of the case, the Siddaramaiah cabinet had, in October 2024, decided to withdraw the cases, claiming they were politically motivated and lacked substantial evidence. The government insisted that many cases were filed against youth who were part of “democratic protests” and should not be criminalized.
The cabinet’s decision followed a circular from the DG-IG in September 2024 asking all Superintendents of Police and Commissioners to list cases eligible for withdrawal.
Political fallout and future implications
The court’s rebuke is being seen as a significant political setback for the Congress government, which is already facing criticism over allegations of favouritism, misuse of power, and declining law and order. More importantly, it underscores growing concerns about the government’s willingness to interfere in judicial and law enforcement processes to serve political ends.
The opposition has seized the moment, said the verdict is a sign of the government’s collapse in governance ethics and legal discipline.
Legal experts believe that the court’s order could now open the door for the revival of all 43 cases, compelling the government to re-examine its decisions under judicial scrutiny.
For CM Siddaramaiah and DCM D.K. Shivakumar, who are already grappling with internal power tussles and mounting opposition pressure, the verdict is both a legal and political blow that threatens to further destabilize the state administration.
The Karnataka High Court’s intervention has not just quashed the government’s order — it has called into question the very credibility of the Siddaramaiah government’s decision-making. With opposition attacks gaining momentum and legal processes back in play, the Congress administration finds itself cornered, facing both political embarrassment and administrative uncertainty.
