Kalaburagi: The Congress-led Karnataka government has suffered a strong setback after the Kalaburagi Bench of the High Court issued a temporary stay on the Cabinet’s controversial decision to withdraw the criminal case connected to the violent attack on police personnel during the 2019 Bakrid cow-transport incident in Chittapur.

The stay order was passed after petitioner Girish Bhardwaj approached the High Court, describing the state’s action as “an unconstitutional, politically motivated move by the state government to shield offenders involved in an assault on law-enforcement officers.”

The Division Bench examined the seriousness of these allegations and immediately stayed the state’s notification. It has also fixed the next hearing for December 4. This interim stay has been widely interpreted as a firm judicial message to the government, which is now facing public scrutiny over whether it is committed to maintaining law and order and protecting police personnel who carry out their duty. News outlets and legal observers have also pointed out that courts usually step in only when they sense a clear misuse of executive power, making this intervention significant.

Context: The 2019 Bakrid confrontation

The case goes back to August 2019, when police officers in Chittapur received credible information that a vehicle was illegally transporting cows. Acting on this tip, the police intercepted the vehicle near the Diggaon Cross checkpost. After the seizure, a group of 15–20 individuals — Sheikh Mohsin, Muhammad Fayyaz, Muhammad Yusuf, Imran, Noor Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Zakir, Muhammad Wajid, Mujahid, Muhammad Khalil, Iqbal, Riyaz, Farooq, and Baba Saudagar — appeared at the spot and confronted the police team on duty.

Despite officers repeatedly instructing the group to cooperate and leave the vehicle for proper legal inspection, the individuals allegedly argued with the personnel, issued threats, and refused to comply. As the situation escalated, the group reportedly moved towards Basirganj Chowk near the police station, where they suddenly began pelting stones to block police action. One stone thrown by accused Sheikh Mohsin struck the car of officer Abhijit, causing major damage.

The stone-pelting incident created fear among people nearby, disturbed public movement, and put the safety of police officers at serious risk. Following the attack, a case was filed under several IPC sections related to assault on public servants, obstruction of duty, and damage to public property.

Police community praises High Court’s timely intervention

In September 2025, the Karnataka Cabinet suddenly decided to withdraw the case, and the decision quickly triggered public anger. Legal experts, civil society groups, and police associations sharply criticized the move. Many argued that the Congress government was sending a troubling signal that even violent attacks on police could be ignored for political gain.

The petitioner stated that dropping such a serious case was equivalent to weakening the criminal justice system. He argued that it would “undermine the criminal justice system and send a dangerous message that offenders can escape accountability through political patronage.” In his view, the Cabinet’s decision violated Article 14 of the Constitution and also ignored the legal procedures required to withdraw criminal cases.

Recognizing the urgency of the issue, the High Court intervened and stayed the government’s action.

Police community praises High Court’s timely intervention

Across Kalaburagi and nearby regions, both retired and serving police personnel (many speaking anonymously) have welcomed the High Court’s stay order. They expressed that the Cabinet’s decision had deeply affected police morale at a time when attacks on law-enforcement officers have been rising across the state.

Members of the policing community stressed that the government should stand firmly with the police force, ensuring their safety and dignity, rather than appearing to appease certain groups for electoral advantages. Many officers also pointed out that withdrawing the case would only normalize mob aggression and weaken the institutional authority of the police, who depend on the law for protection while performing their duties.

Political backlash grows stronger

Opposition parties have used this opportunity to launch strong criticism against the Congress government. Their leaders have accused the administration of repeatedly misusing executive power to interfere in criminal cases for community-focused political reasons. They also highlighted that the government’s history — including earlier withdrawal of riot-related cases and reduced efforts against mob violence — has led to concerns about selective implementation of the law and a wider breakdown of accountability mechanisms in the state.

Many political analysts have also observed that such decisions raise doubt about the government’s neutrality and whether legal processes are being overridden by political considerations.