<p>Bengaluru: The <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/karnataka-high-court">Karnataka High Court</a> on Thursday granted interim relief to Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy by putting a temporary hold on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into alleged land encroachment in Kethaganahalli village, Ramanagara district.</p>.<p>The SIT was constituted by the state government in January 2025 to examine accusations of Kumaraswamy’s involvement in illegal land occupation.</p>.<p>Challenging the legality of the probe, the former chief minister moved the High Court, questioning the procedural foundation of the investigation team.</p>.<p>During the hearing on Thursday, Justice E S Indiresh pointed out that there appeared to be no official notification accompanying the government order that had established the SIT.</p>.<p>Taking note of this lapse, the court stayed both the SIT’s formation and the summons issued to Kumaraswamy until the matter is heard further.</p>.<p>The High Court also directed the government advocate to respond to the petition.</p>.<p>Senior advocate Udaya Holla and advocate Nishanth AV represented Kumaraswamy in court.</p>.<p>The ruling comes as a notable reprieve for the JD(S) leader, who has alleged political vendetta behind the SIT action.</p>.<p>Kumaraswamy has maintained that the land in question was legally acquired by him in 1984 and has long accused the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, of orchestrating a targeted campaign against him.</p>.<p>Slamming the ongoing land survey in Ramanagara, Kumaraswamy had called it a politically driven move.</p>.<p>"Earlier, SITs were headed by IPS officers. Now even IAS officers are leading them," he remarked sarcastically.</p>.<p>He also questioned the legitimacy of the complaints and claimed to possess evidence implicating others in unlawful land dealings.</p>.<p>"I haven’t looted government land like Siddaramaiah. Let them investigate. I have nothing to hide," he alleged. PTI COR GMS GMS KH</p>
<p>Bengaluru: The <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/karnataka-high-court">Karnataka High Court</a> on Thursday granted interim relief to Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy by putting a temporary hold on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into alleged land encroachment in Kethaganahalli village, Ramanagara district.</p>.<p>The SIT was constituted by the state government in January 2025 to examine accusations of Kumaraswamy’s involvement in illegal land occupation.</p>.<p>Challenging the legality of the probe, the former chief minister moved the High Court, questioning the procedural foundation of the investigation team.</p>.<p>During the hearing on Thursday, Justice E S Indiresh pointed out that there appeared to be no official notification accompanying the government order that had established the SIT.</p>.<p>Taking note of this lapse, the court stayed both the SIT’s formation and the summons issued to Kumaraswamy until the matter is heard further.</p>.<p>The High Court also directed the government advocate to respond to the petition.</p>.<p>Senior advocate Udaya Holla and advocate Nishanth AV represented Kumaraswamy in court.</p>.<p>The ruling comes as a notable reprieve for the JD(S) leader, who has alleged political vendetta behind the SIT action.</p>.<p>Kumaraswamy has maintained that the land in question was legally acquired by him in 1984 and has long accused the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, of orchestrating a targeted campaign against him.</p>.<p>Slamming the ongoing land survey in Ramanagara, Kumaraswamy had called it a politically driven move.</p>.<p>"Earlier, SITs were headed by IPS officers. Now even IAS officers are leading them," he remarked sarcastically.</p>.<p>He also questioned the legitimacy of the complaints and claimed to possess evidence implicating others in unlawful land dealings.</p>.<p>"I haven’t looted government land like Siddaramaiah. Let them investigate. I have nothing to hide," he alleged. PTI COR GMS GMS KH</p>