Karnataka govt withdraws cases against CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar for Covid-19 rule violation

The Congress had organised a padayatra (foot march), demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project, across the Cauvery River, despite Covid restrictions during the time.

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved withdrawal of criminal cases against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakumar, Bangalore Rural MP D K Suresh and other Congress leaders for violating Covid-19 protocol during the Mekedatu foot march in January last year.

Briefing reporters, Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said the Cabinet decided to drop nine cases connected with the Mekedatu foot march. These were cases filed against Congress leaders for taking out the Mekedatu Padayatra in January 2022 when the Covid-19 protocol was in force.

One of the cases was filed in Ijoor police station for violation of Covid protocol by holding a meeting in Ramanagara town with the padayatra continuing later towards Bidadi.

Cases were booked under various sections of the IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act.

At that time, Congress leaders had taken out the padayatra demanding that the then BJP government implement the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project.