Supreme Court Dismisses HD Kumaraswamy’s Plea in Bengaluru Land De-Notification Case
New Delhi: On February 25, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy seeking to quash criminal proceedings against him concerning the de-notification of land in Bengaluru during his tenure as Karnataka Chief Minister from June 2006 to October 2007. The case involves the de-notification of 2 acres and 24 guntas of land in Halage Vaderahalli village, initially acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) in 1997.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Rajesh Bindal rejected Kumaraswamy’s argument that prior sanction was required under the amended Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, stating that such protection does not apply retroactively to offenses committed before the amendment. The court emphasized the need to investigate the sudden de-notification of the land, especially since the original owner had sold it prior to the de-notification request.
This decision upholds the Karnataka High Court’s 2019 judgment, which refused to quash the proceedings. The trial will now proceed, focusing on allegations that Kumaraswamy misused his office for personal gain by bypassing established procedures to de-notify the land, which was subsequently sold for Rs. 4.14 crore in 2010.
Kumaraswamy has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the case is politically motivated. However, with the Supreme Court’s dismissal of his plea, the legal proceedings are set to continue, potentially impacting his political career and standing.
Dhanya Reddy S
Alma Media School Student
