Karnataka High Court Pauses Investigation on FIR Against Nirmala Sitharaman

The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim stay on an FIR against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others till October 22, 2024, regarding alleged extortion through electoral bonds. The FIR, prompted by a petition from Adarsh Iyer of JSP, also implicates former State BJP President Naleen Kumar Kateel.

The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued an interim stay on an FIR against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others till October 22, 2024, connected to allegations of extortion through electoral bonds. The petition was filed by former State BJP President Naleen Kumar Kateel, who is a co-accused in the case.

An interim stay has also been granted on the FIR against the ex-Karnataka BJP Chief Naleen Kumar Kateel, involved in allegations of extortion under the pretense of electoral bonds. The subsequent hearing is set for October 22.

The High Court remarked, "Allowing the investigation at this stage would be an abuse of the legal process. It is therefore appropriate to halt further investigation until the next hearing." Previously, a Bengaluru court had directed an FIR against Sitharaman and others over alleged extortion through electoral bonds.

This directive followed a petition by Adarsh Iyer of Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad to the Special Court of People's Representatives, urging action against the Union Minister. Subsequently, the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru was instructed to file an FIR addressing the claimed extortion through electoral bonds. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)