The Karnataka High Court’s Division Bench, on Monday, issued a stay on the interim order by a single-judge bench that had halted the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of government land encroachment by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in Kethaganahalli near Bidadi. This decision clears the way for the SIT investigation to proceed.

The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi, heard the state government’s appeal challenging the single-judge bench’s interim order, which had stayed the government’s order dated January 28, 2025, forming the SIT led by senior IAS officer Amlan Aditya Biswas to investigate the case. After hearing arguments, the Division Bench issued an interim stay on the single-judge bench’s order until November 26, issued notices to all respondents, including H.D. Kumaraswamy, and adjourned the hearing.

What Happened in Court?

As the hearing began, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, representing the state government, argued, “The respondents are accused of encroaching 6 acres of government land. The government has taken steps to clear this encroachment and formed an SIT for investigation. The SIT issued notices to the accused to produce documents. However, the single-judge bench stayed the SIT’s formation. We request the court to lift this stay.” Responding to the plea, the court granted an interim stay on the single-judge bench’s order until November 26 and postponed further hearings.BULLMER Striped Textured Printed Polo Neck Fullsleeve T-Shirt with Rib for Men

Case Background:

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, along with his relative D.C. Thamanna and others, is accused of encroaching 14 acres of government land in Kethaganahalli. Despite a Karnataka High Court order to implement a Lokayukta report on the issue, the authorities allegedly failed to comply, prompting S.R. Hiremath of the NGO Samaj Parivartana Samudaya to file a contempt of court petition. Following these developments, the state government formed an SIT led by senior IAS officer Amlan Aditya Biswas to address the encroachment. Challenging this, Kumaraswamy and others approached the single-judge bench, which stayed the government’s order forming the SIT.High Court Directs BMRCL to Clarify Stance on Public Disclosure of Fare Hike Report: Is the Government in Trouble?