Karnataka HC Temporarily Stays Proceedings Against MP Dr K Sudhakar Allegedly Connected To Seizure Of ₹4.8 Crore A Day Before Lok Sabha Polls

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday by an interim order stayed criminal proceedings pending before the Magistrate court against Member of Parliament, Dr K Sudhakar who was charged after the Election Commission had seized Rs 4.8 crore in cash from a co-accused, belonging to his party, a day before the Lok Sabha Elections on April 25. A single judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Sudhakar seeking to quash the complaint dated 25.04.2024 and the chargesheet filed against him under sections 171 E, 171 F, 171B,171C of the Indian Penal Code. The court said, “Interim order of stay of further proceedings before the concerned court and all further proceedings taken thereto, till the additional special public prosecutor would file his statement of objections.” Senior Advocates B V Acharya and Prabhuling K Navadgi appearing for the petitioner argued that though an amount of Rs 4.8 crore was recovered at the hands of Accused no 2, it has nothing to do with the petitioner. The court said, “The order of cognizance itself indicates that the magistrate, who has taken cognizance and the matter had to be placed before the Special Court if cognizance had to be taken after filing of the final report as the court of session is the designated court to deal with the cases arising against peoples representatives."