On Thursday, the Karnataka High Court issued an interim stay on the investigation against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya in connection with a tweet he posted about a farmer’s suicide in Haveri district. The tweet, which allegedly spread false information, linked the suicide to land being taken over by the Wakf Board.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna granted the stay after considering Surya’s petition to quash the FIR filed by the Haveri police. The tweet, which Surya later deleted, had claimed that the land takeover triggered the farmer’s suicide. However, following police clarification that the farmer had died two years ago due to financial distress, Surya removed the post.
Surya’s counsel argued that the tweet was based on a news report and should not be treated as an offense. The State government countered, urging the court to consider whether the post could have incited enmity between groups. Justice Nagaprasanna questioned the appropriateness of registering the FIR, highlighting concerns over the balance between freedom of speech and public interest.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 4, 2024.
