Illegal mines trading: Karnataka High Court puts trial against minister B Nagendra on hold till it decides on limitation

The Karnataka High Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea challenging the validity of a trial court order directing that a criminal case be filed against Karnataka minister B Nagendra in relation to illegal mines trading [B Nagendra v State of Karnataka].

Single-Judge Justice M Nagaprasanna said that he will examine the issue of limitation first and sought the State government's response on the petition.

It directed the Special MP/MLA Court to defer the hearing until the issue of limitation is examined.

"List this matter on 14 July. Special Court to defer hearing till then. Issue notice," the Court ordered.

The petitioner argued that the offences alleged date back to the years 2009 and 2010, while the complaint was filed only in 2023. In this background, it was argued that the case was barred by limitation and the Court did not have jurisdiction to hear it.

The minister, therefore, sought quashing of sixteen criminal proceedings and chargesheets pending before the trial court against him in Bengaluru.

Senior Advocate Murthy D Naik and Advocate Jaysham Jayasimha Rao appeared for B Nagendra.

Note: An earlier version of the story said the case was in relation to illegal mining instead of illegal mines trading. The error has been corrected and the story has been updated with the accurate factual background. The error is regretted.