The Karnataka High Court today passed an interim order staying proceedings initiated by a lower court against former chief minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on a criminal defamation suit filed by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. Justice K Bhakthavatsala passed the order staying further proceedings before the additional city civil and sessions court for CBI cases till April 24 and adjourned further hearing till then. Kumaraswamy had filed a petition praying for quashing of the proceedings against him by the trial court contending that it was opposed to law, facts and circumstances of the case and liable to be quashed.
Challenging the trial court order of December 31 last, Kumaraswamy submitted that Yeddyurappa’s complaint clearly demonstrates that no case has been made out to take cognizance of offence of defamation and issue summons to him.
Yeddyurappa had filed a defamation suit after Kumaraswamy levelled a corruption charge against him in awarding of a housing project to a private firm, Maverick Holdings.