Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 2: Under instructions from the state government, 142 cases pending trial across the state have been withdrawn. Many of these cases relate to rioting, attempt to murder, molestation and attacking policemen. These cases were withdrawn over a period of three months ending January this year, source said. All these cases were in sessions and JMFC courts pending trial. 

As a result people charged with serious offices like Bhadravati MLA who was accused of assaulting returning officer in APMC election and Kissan Khet Mazdoor Congress state president, Sachin Meega, have been allowed to go Scot free. Accused in Ulaibettu communal violence case in 2015 and Karai communal violence following Hindu Samajotava in January 2015 at Puttur also have gone unscathed. People who torched a KSRTC bus and attacked mini Vidhan Soudha during Kalasa Bhanduri agitation in Gadag district in which huge amount of property was lost, have also been relieved of court case tension. 

Some other infamous cases in which the accused have been given the relief include murder attempt on police officials during Yoginarayana Jayantotsava in Tumakuru district, people involved with violence during the funeral of sub-inspector, Mallikarjun Bande, and widespread damage to National Thermal Power Corporation plant in 2016 and the rampage after minister Qamarul Islam was dropped from the cabinet.

Certain cases registered against companies like West Coast Paper Mills, Dandeli, BHEL Bengaluru etc for violating Factory Act also have been withdrawn. 

The courts allowed withdrawing these cases all over the state but some of them reported that decision of the government to withdraw cases can send negative message to the people particularly in respect of serious offences.