The Karnataka High Court on Thursday issued an interim stay on the investigation against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, accused of spreading misinformation about a farmer’s suicide by a tweet in Haveri district. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, hearing Surya’s plea to quash the FIR, ordered a pause in the probe, setting December 4 for the next hearing.
Surya had tweeted, on November 7, alleging that Rudrappa Channappa Balikai, a farmer, died by suicide due to his land being acquired by the Waqf board. However, Haveri police clarified that the suicide, which occurred in January 2022, was due to financial difficulties and crop losses, not a land dispute. Surya deleted the tweet after the clarification.
The FIR invoked Section 505(2) of the IPC, which addresses incitement of hostility. Surya’s counsel argued the tweet lacked ingredients to constitute an offence under this section. The HC agreed, noting the post criticized government policies and did not aim to incite enmity.
The special public prosecutor opposed the stay, stating the post could “hurt sentiments” and “promote enmity.” The court dismissed the argument, emphasizing that criticism of policy does not qualify as incitement under the law.
The investigation remains paused, with the case pending further deliberation.
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