The Karnataka High Court has temporarily stayed the legal proceedings against three individuals accused of disseminating false news on social media. The news falsely claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had advised not to be concerned about Muslim favor and BJP criticism. The accused—V. Prabhakara Reddy, H.N. Vijayakumar, and Virupaksha Bankara—had filed a criminal petition to quash the FIR lodged against them at the Bengaluru Paschim Sen Police Station.
In court, the petitioners lawyer contended that they had only shared the false news and were not its original authors. The state prosecutor argued against halting the entire case, citing the need to investigate the involvement of four other suspects. The court decided to stay the trial but ruled that no coercive action should be taken against the petitioners, who are cooperating with the investigation.
The disputed social media post included the statement, “We don’t need Hindus. Muslim race is enough,” and was mistakenly attributed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. This led to the FIR and controversy. The investigation continues, with the High Court’s stay providing temporary relief to the three individuals involved.