1 week ago
Karnataka High Court stays probe into Bidadi township protest farmers
Six farmers in Karnataka were accused of attacking officials during a land survey.
The survey was for a planned township near Bidadi.
The project would acquire about 7,400 acres across nine villages.
Farmers opposed the survey because they feared losing their farmland.
Their lawyer said they were protesting with brooms and had not tried to kill anyone.
Police filed serious charges, including attempted murder and assault against a woman.
Videos allegedly showed some protesters hitting officials with brooms.
The Karnataka High Court has temporarily stopped the police investigation.
The court will consider the farmers’ request to cancel the case.
The Karnataka High Court stayed further investigation against six farmers accused in a Bidadi protest case.
The farmers were accused of attacking officials conducting a land-acquisition survey for a 7,400-acre township project.
Their lawyer said they were peacefully protesting with brooms to protect ancestral farmland and alleged the survey was unlawful.
Police registered the case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions concerning attempted murder and assault against a woman.
Justice M Nagaprasanna said the complainant was the driver who transported officials and found the case’s registration suspicious.
- Who
- Six farmers, government survey officials, police, and the Karnataka High Court are involved.
- What
- The High Court stayed further investigation into allegations arising from a protest against a land-acquisition survey.
- Where
- Mandalahalli village near Bidadi, in Bengaluru South district, Karnataka.
- When
- The protest occurred on July 13; the High Court issued its interim stay on Monday.
- Why
- Farmers opposed a proposed township project and said the survey threatened their land and was being conducted without lawful consent.
Farmers’ position
Police case and officials’ allegations
Lawfulness of the survey
Farmers’ position
The farmers’ lawyer argued that the survey was illegal because the government had said acquisition would follow the law and require farmers’ consent.
Police case and officials’ allegations
Government officials from the Joint Measurement Committee proceeded with the survey after reaching the village through alternative roads.
Nature of the protest
Farmers’ position
The farmers’ lawyer said protesters used brooms while defending peaceful possession of what they considered ancestral land and did not attempt to murder officials.
Police case and officials’ allegations
The police case alleges attempted murder and assault against a woman; videos allegedly showed women protesters hitting survey officials with brooms.
Validity of the criminal case
Farmers’ position
The farmers sought to quash the FIR, arguing that a distressed crowd’s push-and-pull had been turned into serious criminal allegations.
Police case and officials’ allegations
The case was registered following a complaint by Mohammed Sameer, who was the driver of a private car carrying the officials.
Key facts
- Project
- Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project, also known as the Bidadi township project
- Land involved
- About 7,400 acres across nine villages
- Accused
- Six farmers
- Charges
- Sections 109(1) and 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Court order
- A stay on all further investigation
- Judge
- Justice M Nagaprasanna
- Protest date
- July 13
Quotes
Justice M Nagaprasanna
Karnataka High Court judge who issued the interim order
“just because our lands are bordering the city, that does not mean they will acquire them for the project. We want to do farming, and when the state government has issued a statement which is reported in newspapers that land acquisition will not be undertaken without following law and consent from the farmers, then such survey being carried out was illegal.”
indianexpress.com
“The complainant is no person who has been allegedly assaulted or otherwise. The driver (of a private car) who drove the officers of the joint measurement committee registers the crime; therefore, the very registration of the crime is shrouded with suspicion. In that view of the matter, there shall be a stay on all further investigations.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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