The Karnataka High Court has quashed two defamation cases filed against Congress leaders over corruption allegations in advertisements during the Assembly elections.
On Wednesday, the Karnataka High Court ruled in favour of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, quashing a criminal defamation case filed against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over corruption allegations related to advertisements released by the Congress during the 2023 Assembly elections. The court's decision follows an initial stay of proceedings in July 2025.
The BJP had accused the Congress of damaging its image with advertisements that alleged fixed rates for bribes related to job appointments and transfers. The complaint also highlighted the use of the phrase 'trouble engine sarkar' in the advertisements, a play on the BJP’s 'double engine sarkar' slogan.
In addition, in February, the High Court quashed another defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over similar corruption allegations in party advertisements during the same elections. The case was brought by a private company named Karnataka Ventures Limited (KVL).
The BJP's complaint alleged that the advertisements damaged the Hindutva party’s image by claiming that certain ‘rates’ and ‘commissions’ were charged for facilitating the appointments in government jobs. The complainant also argued that the advertisements used the words ‘trouble engine sarkar’ to malign the BJP’s reputation.
The Congress was elected to power in Karnataka in 2023, replacing the BJP government.
In May 2023, the Election Commission issued a notice to the Congress’ Karnataka unit in connection with the advertisements. There appeared to be a prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct, said the poll panel.
Source:
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