Bengaluru Court Quashes Defamation Case Against CM Siddaramaiah over Remarks on RSS, Bajrang Dal

A Bengaluru court has dismissed a criminal complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, lodged by Kiran N (an advocate affiliated with RSS), over his alleged statement in the State Assembly that “most of those committing crimes are from RSS and Bajrang Dal.” The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate K.N. Shivakumar held that the remarks were made during legislative proceedings, in the context of discussing law and order, and hence enjoyed legislative privilege under Article 194(2) of the Indian Constitution. The court found no clear intent to defame or hurt religious sentiments; it also observed that RSS is not a religious organization per se, and the complainant did not have locus to file on behalf of RSS. The complaint under defamation or offences relating to outraging religious feelings was found unsustainable, and prima facie ingredients of the alleged offences were not satisfied. The court therefore refused to take cognizance.