BENGALURU COURT DISMISSES DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST KARNATAKA CM SIDDARAMAIAH, SAYS STATEMENT BY HIM NOT AGAINST ENTIRE LINGAYAT COMMUNITY.

Keywords – bengaluru special court, 499&500 of IPC, criminal defamation, lingayat community, ADCM, Karnataka CM.

The Special Court of Bengaluru has rejected a private complaint that was filed against the Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah under Section 499 & 500 of Indian Penal Code, which is Criminal Defamation.

                    The complainants, Shankar Seth & Another alleged that they belonged to the Lingayat community and Siddaramaiah, when in opposition and while campaigning for the 2023 General Elections in Varuna constituency, had made a defamatory comment against their community. The statement was that the earlier Chief Ministers who were from the Lingayat community had spoiled the state because of their corrupt nature.

                  The complainant said that due to this statement of his, the reputation of the entire Lingayat community was kept at stake before the whole public.

               After viewing the video of the campaign in an open court, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate contented that the statement of Chief Minister was not made to the entire Lingayat community but only in respect of the previous Chief Ministers who were holding power in the state. Hence, the court had dismissed the petition.

Written by – Yashashvi Mishra, College – S S Khanna Girls Degree College, University of Allahabad, Year – 2^nd year 4^th semester, an intern under Legal Vidhiya

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