Karnataka Cabinet Clears Withdrawal Of 42 Riot-Related Criminal Cases
Karnataka withdraws riot cases, BJP criticises government decision.
The Karnataka government’s decision to withdraw 42 criminal cases, including those linked to the 2022 clashes near the disputed Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland town of Kalaburagi district, has triggered a sharp political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move has reignited debate over accountability in communal violence-related cases.
The withdrawn cases include 13 FIRs connected to the violence that erupted after allegations surfaced regarding the alleged desecration of a Shivling inside the dargah premises. The incident had escalated tensions in the area when a group of Hindu activists reportedly attempted to enter the site to clean the Shivling, leading to clashes and widespread unrest.
During the violence, several vehicles were damaged, including official vehicles belonging to senior administrative and political figures. The car windows of Union Minister Bhagwanth Khuba and Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner were also vandalised, further intensifying the situation at the time.
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According to official sources, the state home department had initially opposed the withdrawal of the riot-related cases, citing adverse legal opinions and concerns over dropping prosecution in a sensitive communal violence matter. However, a Cabinet sub-committee later reviewed the cases and approved their withdrawal after examining legal grounds, effectively overriding earlier objections.
The decision was subsequently cleared by the state Cabinet, prompting criticism from the BJP. Party spokesperson S. Prakash alleged that the Congress government was “encouraging violent elements” and claimed that repeated withdrawal of serious cases reflected a pattern of leniency. He further accused the government of acting under political pressure, a charge rejected by the ruling party.
Defending the move, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said each case had been individually examined and withdrawn only where legally permissible. Minister Satish Jarkiholi also dismissed the BJP’s allegations, stating that the withdrawals were part of a broader review of multiple cases involving different groups and were not targeted at any particular community.
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