Broom protest: Karnataka HC stays probe against farmers, terms FIR 'shrouded with suspicion'

The Karnataka High Court on Monday stayed further investigation into a criminal case registered against six farmers for allegedly attempting to murder government officials during a land survey in Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The farmers had protested with brooms in their hands, symbolically opposing the survey for the contentious Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, passing the interim order on a petition filed by H.R. Nagaraja and others, observed that the complaint was lodged by a driver of a privately rented car hired by the officials, and not by any of the officials who were allegedly assaulted during the survey. “The very registration of the crime is shrouded with suspicion,” the court said.

The police had registered the case under Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder) and 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The petitioners sought quashing of the FIR, arguing that the protest was peaceful and that the brooms were not used as weapons.

Senior advocate D.R. Ravishankar, appearing for the farmers, pointed out that the state government had itself issued a public statement that land acquisition would not be undertaken without obtaining the consent of farmers. He submitted that the petitioners wish to continue farming on their ancestral lands and that their proximity to Bengaluru city should not be grounds for compulsory acquisition.

The Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township Project, proposed near Bidadi, has been a flashpoint between farmers and the government. Farmers have repeatedly opposed the acquisition of their agricultural land, asserting their right to cultivate their ancestral property. Monday's interim order provides temporary relief to the six farmers, who had been facing serious charges including attempt to murder.

The court's observation that the complaint's origin raises suspicion underscores the importance of verifying the bona fides of complainants in criminal cases. Legal experts say the ruling may prompt closer scrutiny of cases where third parties, rather than alleged victims, file complaints in land-related disputes.

The matter will be heard further, and the stay on investigation remains in effect until the next hearing. The farmers' counsel expressed confidence that the court would ultimately quash the FIR, given the absence of any credible allegation of violence and the government's own assurance on consent-based acquisition.