(On 28th March) The Bengaluru Court has re-issued summons to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in the BJP’s defamation case. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been exempted until June 1st. The case revolves around a complaint filed by the BJP regarding allegations made in an advertisement known as the ‘Corruption Rate Card’ released before the 2023 state elections.
Bengaluru: On March 28th, a Bengaluru court re-issued summons to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in a defamation case brought forward by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
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The complaint originates from a complaint filed by the BJP against the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) regarding a contentious advertisement known as the ‘Corruption Rate Card’ released prior to the 2023 state elections.
Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and Wayanad MP, was also summoned initially on February 23, but his absence was excused today due to his application citing the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. He was granted time until June 1 to appear before the court. However, summons were re-issued for DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah to attend court proceedings on April 29, as ordered by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Preeth J.
The BJP’s complaint revolves around allegations made in the ‘Corruption Rate Card’ advertisement, accusing the earlier BJP government of corruption and specifying purported ‘rates’ for appointments and transfers of state employees. The advertisement also claimed misappropriation of funds amounting to over Rs 1,50,000 crores by the previous government.
The court, on June 15, 2023, acknowledged a prima facie case presented by the BJP, leading to the issuance of summonses under Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the IPC. These actions were taken to address the BJP’s assertions of deliberate defamation aimed at tarnishing their reputation.
[ CASE TITLE: BJP vs KPCC and Ors.]
