Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Fined, Directed To Appear In Court

The Karnataka High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state cabinet ministers MB Patil and Ramalinga Reddy, along with Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala. Additionally, they have been instructed to appear physically before the people's representatives' court.

A bench led by Justice Krishna Dixit of the Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others, seeking to quash criminal prosecution registered for allegedly illegally marching towards the official residence of then CM Basavaraj Bommai, demanding the resignation of then Minister KS Eshwarappa.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been summoned to appear on March 6th, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on March 7th, Congress Karnataka in-charge RS Surjewala on March 11th, and Heavy Industries Minister MB Patil on March 15th.

The High Court observed, "What happens if representatives don't follow the rule and block the roads when city life is already torture? Representatives need to follow the rule first."

The high court has rejected Siddaramaiah's advocacy petition.

In April 2022, Congress leaders, including the present Chief Minister, participated in a protest demanding the arrest of KS Eshwarappa in connection with the alleged suicide of contractor Santosh Patil.

Eshwarappa, who was the Deputy Chief Minister of the State in the previous BJP government, had tendered his resignation following the row over his alleged role in the contractor's death.

Santosh Patil, a BJP leader and contractor, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on April 12, 2022.