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Karnataka HC Stays Probe Against Finance Minister Sitharaman
The Karnataka High Court has stayed the investigation against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and several other individuals, including BJP leaders, in connection with the controversial electoral bonds scheme. The decision came on Monday from a single judge bench led by Justice M Nagaprasanna, following a plea submitted by BJP leader Nalin Kumar Kateel.
BJP Leaders Seek Relief from Electoral Bonds Probe
The probe was initiated after an FIR was registered based on the directives of a lower court in Karnataka. The complaint, filed by Adarsh R Iyer, Co-President of ‘Janaadhikaara Sangharsha Parishath’ (JSP), accused Sitharaman and others of extortion and benefiting financially through the electoral bonds scheme, which is now scrapped. The allegations claim that the scheme allowed the accused to gain a monetary advantage of over ₹8,000 crore.
Legal Arguments and Court’s Observation
Justice Nagaprasanna, while granting the stay, observed that Section 383 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with extortion, mandates that the complainant should have been put under fear. The judge noted that in cases related to Section 384, only an aggrieved person can set criminal law in motion. The court questioned the validity of the complaint and expressed concerns that continuing with the probe at this stage could lead to an abuse of the legal process.
FIR Filed Against Multiple BJP Leaders
The FIR named several prominent figures, including BJP Karnataka chief B Y Vijayendra, party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel, and Enforcement Directorate officials. The charges were registered under IPC Sections 384 (punishment for extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).
Court’s Decision and Future Proceedings
The Karnataka High Court has put a hold on the proceedings until further objections are filed and reviewed. This decision provides temporary relief to the finance minister and the other accused while the legal intricacies of the case are further examined. The matter will be taken up again in the next hearing, where both sides will present their arguments.
