Karnataka High Court Asks Trial Court To Continue Proceedings In Kidnapping Case Allegedly Involving JD(S) Leader HD Revanna

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday (February 26) directed the trial court to continue its proceedings in a case involving the alleged kidnapping of a woman wherein one of the co-accused is Janata Dal (S) leader HD Revanna.

Previously, Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav had vacated its interim order stalling framing of charges against Revanna, after taking note of lack of readiness on behalf of Revanna to go ahead with the matter in view of repeated adjournments sought in the case.

During the hearing today Revanna's counsel sought an adjournment in the matter. To this, senior advocate Professor Ravivarma Kumar appearing for the State said that the petitioner was taking time before the trial court citing pendency of the high court matter. "This is gross abuse of the process, to say the least," he said.

To this the court orally said, "We will ask the trial court to go ahead with the charge on March 2".

While HD Revanna is accused no. 1 in the trial court, accused no. 2-9 are Satish Babu HN @ Satish Babanna, Sujay, Madhu HN, Manugowda HD, ST Keerthi, KA Rajagopal, Bhavani Revanna (who is HD Revanna's wife) and Ajith Kumar.

For context the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru had in its February 24 order noted the submission of HD Revanna (accused no. 1), who had sought time on the ground that "accused No.1 is going to withdraw the Crl.P No. 4943/2025 filed by him before Honorable HCK, Bengaluru".

The magistrate court had thereafter listed the matter "for charge against accused No.2 to 8" and for hearing before charge in respect of accused No.1 (Revanna) and accused no. 9 (Ajith Kumar) on March 2.

It thereafter in its order dictated:

"Perused the order dated 5-2-2026. By virtue of the said order this court had vacated the interim order. Learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the State places on record the order sheet of the trial court...It is pointed out that the petitioners herein had undertaken before trial court to withdraw the present criminal petition. However on this day once again time is sought.

It is noticed that the Trial court has fixed date of March 2, 2026 for charge against accused 2-8, and hearing before charge in respect of accused 1 and 9. Trial court to proceed further in light of there being no embargo by this court for the trial court proceedings. Re-list after two weeks".

Case title: H.D.REVANNA v/s STATE OF KARNATAKA

CRL.P 4943/2024