Previously, on November 14, the high court granted interim relief by staying the investigation into the FIR registered against Surya. This interim order was issued in response to Surya’s petition seeking to quash the FIR. The court considered the petitioner’s arguments that the contentious tweet was deleted following a police clarification regarding the suicide and the father’s subsequent media interview.
Karnataka: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (12th Nov) quashed an FIR filed against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya in connection with allegations of spreading fake news about a farmer’s suicide in Haveri district. The FIR was registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Justice M Nagaprasanna issued the ruling based on Surya’s plea to quash the case.
The court reserved its decision on December 5 after hearing arguments from both parties.
During the hearing, the senior counsel representing Surya argued that the allegations pertain to tweets based on certain news reports.
He stated, “Even if the allegations are accepted as true, they do not constitute an offense under Section 353 (BNS). Moreover, the tweet has already been deleted. As such, the criminal proceedings against the petitioner cannot stand.”
He also highlighted that the deceased’s father had given an interview to the media the following day.
Conversely, the State’s counsel opposed the plea, asserting that the tweet conveyed an impression that the current administration was responsible for the incident.
At this juncture, the court remarked orally, “It is a very unfortunate situation. A life was lost—a farmer’s son took his own life due to debts or other reasons. Yet, all of you are politicizing the tragedy.”
Previously, on November 14, the high court granted interim relief by staying the investigation into the FIR registered against Surya. This interim order was issued in response to Surya’s petition seeking to quash the FIR. The court considered the petitioner’s arguments that the contentious tweet was deleted following a police clarification regarding the suicide and the father’s subsequent media interview.
On November 8, Surya had posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a farmer in Karnataka had committed suicide after his land was allegedly taken over by the Waqf board, accusing the Congress government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan of policies that led to the incident. Surya had also shared a news article from a local portal to support his claim.
The police later clarified that the farmer’s suicide was due to financial debt, not land disputes. Following this, the Haveri Cybercrime, Economic, and Narcotic Offences Police booked Surya for spreading fake news.
Surya’s counsel, Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, argued that the post was deleted promptly after it was challenged and that Surya had no intent to incite unrest.
The State countered that Surya’s post was a deliberate attempt to hold the Congress government accountable for the farmer’s death.
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