A magistrate court in Bengaluru has directed the Tumakuru Police to register an FIR against Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara over his admission of placing a bet during a local Kabaddi match in his native district. The order was passed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate K N Shivakumar while hearing a complaint filed by H R Nagabhushan, who sought legal action against the minister for allegedly engaging in betting, which is prohibited under law.
The court also instructed that an FIR be registered against the Deputy Commissioner of Tumakuru in connection with the same incident.
The controversy stems from an event in October last year, when a Kabaddi tournament was held in Tumakuru. Following a match between teams from Vijayapura and Dakshina Kannada on October 19, Parameshwara told the media that he had lost a bet of Rs 500 to the Deputy Commissioner after the team he supported was defeated.
“I lost Rs 500. The DC and I had a bet. I lost,” he had said.
After the remarks were broadcast on television channels, the complainant approached the authorities, alleging that the Home Minister and the Deputy Commissioner had not only indulged in betting but also publicly promoted it. Nagabhushan argued before the court that such acts are punishable under Sections 112(2) and 45 of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS).
Initially, the police closed the complaint, terming it baseless and citing the absence of prior sanction from the competent authority to proceed against a public servant. This prompted the complainant to move the court seeking further action.
In its observation, the court stated that the alleged act did not fall within the official duties of the Home Minister or the Deputy Commissioner, and therefore, prior sanction was not required to initiate legal proceedings. It subsequently directed the Kodogehalli police in Koratagere taluk of Tumakuru district to register an FIR and begin an investigation into the matter.
The case now moves into the investigation stage, with the police expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether any legal violations were committed.
Follow us
