Karnataka High Court Stays Probe Against Tumkur Deputy Commissioner Subha Kalyana In 'Illegal Betting' Case

The Karnataka High Court in an interim order on Monday (April 27) stayed a magistrate court's order directing investigation against Tumkur Deputy Commissioner Shubha Kalyana over allegations of "illegal betting" along with Home Minister G Parameshwara, for an amount of Rs. 500 during a Kabaddi match.

Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav stayed the order passed by XLII Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Bengaluru K.N. Shivakumar on April 21.

Issuing notice to the State, the court in its order dictated:

“….It was submitted that the Magistrate's order dated 21.04.2026 in PCR 2885/2026 was a subject matter of challenge by the co-accused[Home Minister] in WP 13090/2026 in which this court had granted a stay of further proceedings in PCR 2885/2026. In light of identical contentions pressed by the petitioner herein who stands in parity, the same order may be passed. Subject to further proceedings, there will be a stay on PCR 2885/2026 qua the petitioner [ Tumkur DC]. List along with WP 13090/2026". 

Notably, a similar interim order was passed last week staying probe against State Home Minister G Parameshwara.

The counsel for petitioner argued today that it was a frivolous complaint of illegal betting against the Deputy Commissioner. He also urged the high court to pass a similar order as passed in the plea moved by the State's Home Minister. 

Background

For context the magistrate court had in its order, had noted that it was a 'prima facie' apt case for investigation. The Magistrate court had noted that it appeared that the police had neither considered the Newspaper Reports nor appeared to have summoned any documents/evidences from the complainant before giving such an endorsement that the complaint is baseless and lacks evidence.

It has been alleged by the complainant H.R. Nagabushan, that the State Home Minister and the Tumkur Deputy Commissioner were involved in illegal betting in a public function i.e., the Kabaddi competition held in Tumakuru City on 19-10-2025, by betting Rs. 500 as against the winning Team–the Dakshina Kannada District Team.

It was also alleged that after the Kabbadi competition, the two had given statements about the same to the Media, whereby they had instigated the public at large to engage in such illegal betting activities. Thus, it was alleged that they had committed offences under Sections 112(2) (petty organised crime) & 45 (abetment) of BNS.

The complainant had previously filed a complaint with the Kodigehalli Police Station, which the police closed as baseless and without evidence.

Case Title: Shubha Kalyana v. State of Karnataka

Case No: WP 13618/2026