In a significant development, the Supreme Court provided a temporary reprieve to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the ongoing 2022 protest case. The apex court issued a stay on further proceedings and the High Court’s order that had rejected Siddaramaiah’s plea seeking to quash proceedings and impose a fine against him.
A bench comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra took cognizance of Siddaramaiah’s plea and also issued notices to the concerned respondents in the matter. Siddaramaiah, along with others, had approached the Supreme Court after the Karnataka High Court dismissed his petition seeking the quashing of proceedings against him related to the 2022 protest.
During the hearing, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra made notable observations, noting that while the judgments cited by the petitioner pertained to politicians, there was a broader concern regarding citizens’ rights to protest. Justice Mishra questioned the distinction between protests staged by politicians and those by ordinary citizens, raising concerns about the implications for individuals exercising their democratic rights.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, argued vehemently for their fundamental rights, asserting that the case centered around a law and order situation rather than a public order allegation.
The 2022 protest case stems from a demonstration organized in March, demanding the resignation of then Minister K S Eshwarappa following a suicide case. The Karnataka High Court had previously dismissed Siddaramaiah’s petition, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court.
This interim decision by the Supreme Court marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle surrounding the 2022 protest case, underscoring the complex interplay between political rights and legal obligations in democratic societies.
