The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed contempt proceedings against Union Heavy Industries Minister and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, tied to alleged land encroachment in Kethaganahalli village, Bidadi, Karnataka. Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale issued a notice to the NGO "Samaj Parivartan Samudaya," represented by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, following Kumaraswamy’s challenge to the Karnataka High Court’s April 17, 2025, order naming him in the case.

The contempt proceedings originated from a 2011 Karnataka Lokayukta report alleging illegal land occupation by Kumaraswamy and his family. Despite the Lokayukta closing the case in 2021, the high court pursued contempt for non-compliance with its 2020 order to reclaim the land. Kumaraswamy, not initially a party, faced eviction notices but contested his inclusion. The Supreme Court has suspended the high court’s order, with responses due within four weeks.

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