SC stays trial against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Congress leaders for 2022 protest

The SC has granted a stay on the trial proceedings against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and 35 other Congress leaders related to a protest in Bengaluru in April 2022. The protest aimed to demand the resignation of then-minister KS Eshwarappa, who was named in a contractor's suicide note. The stay comes just days before the scheduled appearance of Siddaramaiah and others before a Karnataka judge, who had summoned them to face trial.

The SC, on Monday, halted the trial proceedings against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and 35 Congress leaders over a protest that took place in Bengaluru in April 2022. The protest was organized to seek the resignation of minister KS Eshwarappa following allegations in a contractor's suicide note. The stay order was issued by a bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and PK Mishra, stating that if the allegations in the charge sheet only pertain to a political protest, it could stifle the essence of such demonstrations.

The Karnataka HC had earlier dismissed their plea, prompting Siddaramaiah and other leaders to approach the Supreme Court. The trial was scheduled to begin, with the accused facing charges under Section 141 of the Indian Penal Code for unlawful assembly.