The contempt case stems from a 2020 PIL filed by NGO Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) before the Karnataka High Court, seeking an inquiry into alleged encroachment of over 200 acres of government land, including 110 acres of gomala (pasture) land in Kethaganahalli, near Bidadi.
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In a reprieve to Union Minister and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed his impleadment by the state high court in a contempt of court case related to alleged illegal land encroachment in Ramanagara Taluk near Bengaluru.
A Bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Prasanna B Varale questioned the maintainability of the contempt proceedings, especially in view of a closure report filed by the Karnataka Lokayukta in 2021, and issued notice to the respondents – NGO Samaj Parivartana Samudaya and others.
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The contempt case stems from a 2020 PIL filed by NGO Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) before the Karnataka High Court, seeking an inquiry into alleged encroachment of over 200 acres of government land, including 110 acres of gomala (pasture) land in Kethaganahalli, near Bidadi.
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Though Kumaraswamy was initially named in the PIL, no notice was ever issued to him during the pendency of that case. The High Court had disposed of the matter on January 14, 2020, based on the State’s assurance to conduct an inquiry.
However, alleging non-compliance, SPS initiated contempt proceedings later that year.
Kumaraswamy’s name was initially included but subsequently deleted by the High Court itself.
Meanwhile, the Lokayukta closed the case on March 3, 2021, after which the High Court continued to monitor the matter and directed the eviction of the land.
Pursuant to this, an eviction notice was served to Kumaraswamy by the Tahsildar of Ramanagara Taluk. This was the first time the former Karnataka Chief Minister became aware of the contempt of court proceedings.
Kumaraswamy first approached the Supreme Court in May this year, and the Court allowed him to raise objections before the High Court. He subsequently filed a detailed application highlighting that the complaint was closed and that he was never issued notice in the original case.
However, on April 17, 2025, the High Court again impleaded him in the contempt proceedings, prompting a fresh petition in the top court.
Staying the High Court’s order, the Supreme Court issued notice and granted interim relief, shielding Kumaraswamy from further proceedings in the contempt case until further orders.
Senior Advocate C Aryama Sundaram appeared for Kumaraswamy.
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