SC Rebukes Congress-Led Karnataka Govt for Targeting Tejasvi Surya, Slaps ₹25 Lakh Fine

The Supreme Court recently dismissed the Karnataka government’s plea against a high court order quashing the criminal case against BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. It has also imposed a hefty cost of Rs 25 lakh on the state exchequer for wasting judicial time.

"Don’t politicise the matter. Fight your battles before the electorate,” a bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran came down heavily on the Karnataka government.

It was alleged that the BJP MP disseminated fake news about a farmer’s suicide in the state’s Haveri district.

A post was shared by Surya on November 7, 2024, in which he cited a report claiming that a farmer was found dead after discovering that his land had been taken over by the Waqf Board.

The said post was soon deleted by Surya after the local police clarified that the farmer’s suicide had nothing to do with the Waqf Board.

Despite the clarification, Haveri Cyber, Economic and Narcotics Crime Police booked Surya under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for spreading false news. Later, the Karnataka High Court quashed the FIR, but the state challenged the same before the Supreme Court, insisting that Surya’s tweet had communal implications.

Case Title: Tejasvi Surya vs. State of Karnataka

Bench: CJI and Justice Vinod Chandran

Order Date: July 21, 2025