Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises HD Kumaraswamy booked for allegedly making false statements against an opponent during the 2024 General Election campaign told the Karnataka High Court on Thursday (June 25) that despite filing of a B report magistrate took cognizance of offences alleged against him.

As per the FIR, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader, while campaigning for BJP's C Sommanna, referred to a person (purportedly Sommanna's opponent) as a disciple of gangster Kotwal Ramachandra. Kumaraswamy allegedly said how can such a person safeguard the interests of the State and the nation.

The speech was made on April 14, 2024 and was published in a local daily the next day, whereas the Model Code of Conduct had come into force on March 16, 2024.

Following this, an FIR was registered against Kumaraswamy under Sections 171G (False statement in connection with an election) IPC and Section 123(4) (Corrupt Practices) of the Representation of People Act.

The single judge bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna, after briefly hearing the matter today listed the petition for further hearing on July 17.

“…We will close it on 17th. Interim order subsisting will continue till the next date of hearing…”, the court noted.

Appearing for the former Karnataka CM, the counsel submitted that it was a matter wherein the B Report was already filed by the police before the Magistrate twice. Despite that, the Magistrate had taken cognizance of the offence.

“…. This is a matter where B report was filed. Subsequently a protest petition was filed by the complainant. Again, a B report was filed by the police…but the learned magistrate takes cognisance. And the authors of newspaper reports [based on which complaint was made] state that I have not made such a statement against the candidate…”, the Union Minister argued.

When the matter was taken up on today, initially, the complainant/ Respondent No.2 remained unrepresented even though notice was served. Later, it was informed that the Flying Squad itself is the complainant in the matter.

Hence, the court also directed the registry to print the name of the learned High Court Government Pleader (HCGP) as appearing for the second respondent[complainant] as well, after the Additional Special Public Prosecutor submitted that the flying squad, which had filed the original complaint, was the complainant in the matter.

The court also directed that the interim order staying further proceedings would continue to operate till July 17.

To recap, the Karnataka High Court had in December 2025 stayed all further proceedings in a case registered against the Union Minister for allegedly making false statements during the 2024 General Election campaign.

Significant to note that after investigation, the Police had filed a B report (cancellation report) in the matter. Subsequently, as per the Union Minister, a further investigation report was filed and the Trial Court "unilaterally" proceeded to reject the B Report and take cognizance against Kumaraswamy for the offence under IPC.

On November 15, 2025, summons was issued to Kumaraswamy, prompting him to move the High Court

Case Title: H D Kumaraswamy v. State of Karnataka & Anr.

Case No: WP 36338/2025