Karnataka High Court Stays FIR Against Home Minister Over Bet Joke

The Karnataka High Court stayed an order to register an FIR against Home Minister G Parameshwara and a district official. The court found no intent to commit a crime in Parameshwara's joke about a Rs 500 bet during a kabaddi match. The remark was made casually and was not meant to promote betting.

The Karnataka High Court has temporarily halted a magistrate's directive to file an FIR against the state's Home Minister, G Parameshwara, and Tumakuru's Deputy Commissioner. This decision came after Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav noted that the context lacked the intent to commit a crime.

The incident occurred during a recent pre-university kabaddi tournament where the boys' final saw Dakshina Kannada triumph over Vijayapura. After awarding the prize, Parameshwara jokingly mentioned losing a Rs 500 bet with the Deputy Commissioner predicting Vijayapura's win, sparking controversy.

A complaint from H R Nagabhushan led to a court order for an FIR. Speaking on the matter, Parameshwara expressed his surprise at the reaction, insisting it was a light-hearted comment, not intended to endorse betting.