Overview

• The high court struck down two FIRs filed under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for hate speech against Bommai
• Justice SR Krishna Kumar ruled that Bommai’s remarks at a November 2024 BJP rally in Savanur did not constitute promoting enmity between groups
• The judge described the allegations as vague and said continuing the proceedings would amount to an abuse of process
• Bommai had used the rally to accuse the state Congress government and Waqf Board of seizing farmland and temple properties
• His comment that any stone thrown in Savanur would land on Waqf property formed the core of the original charges