Karnataka HC refuses to stay defamation case against BJP leader calling “half Pakistani” to state health minister
Last Updated on September 22, 2024 by NewsDesk SLC
HC single judge bench of M Nagaprasanna on Thursday expressed displeasure at the statement made by BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal referring to State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao as “half Pakistani” as defamation proceeding under Section 499 and 500 of IPC.
Judge Orally told MLA’s counsel about the statement you made and you cannot dub any particular community in that way
Yatnal’s counsel Venkatesh Dalwai argued that the statement was made in response to a statement made by the minister in the public domain. Rao’s wife however claims the statement was aimed at her.
The court criticized the inappropriate comments made about someone’s wife being Muslim and labeling the person as half-Pakistani, stating that such remarks are unacceptable. Dalwai argued that the magistrate court did not follow proper procedure when taking cognizance of the complaint, as no notice was issued to Yatnal.
The court agreed that there was a procedural error in how the magistrate court took cognizance of the complaint, as the accused was not issued a notice. It will direct the magistrate to redo the process. The court will release its order on Monday. Additionally, the court criticized the inappropriate generalizations made in the statements, emphasizing that such remarks are not acceptable.
Case Title: Basanagouda R Patil v. Tabbasum Dinesh Rao CRL.P 9683/2024
