The Karnataka High Court on October 13, 2026, stayed further investigation against BJP leader Dr. Ravi Basalingappagowda Patil and others in a case concerning allegations that attempts were made to remove 198 Muslim voters’ names from electoral rolls in Belagavi during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Justice Venkatesh Naik T passed the interim order, relying on a similar matter in which another Bench had stayed the investigation.
Background
The FIR was registered following a complaint by a Congress party booth-level agent. According to the complaint, Patil and other persons allegedly submitted around 198 Form No. 7 applications seeking the deletion of Muslim voters’ names from the electoral rolls.
Form No. 7 allows objections to the inclusion of a name or requests for deletion from an existing electoral roll. The complaint alleged that the applications were submitted despite the voters continuing to reside at the addresses recorded in the electoral list.
The police registered a case at Belagavi’s Market Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Patil had earlier received interim protection from coercive police action, and a Sessions Court had granted him anticipatory bail in connection with the same FIR.
Senior Advocate Aruna Shyam, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that the proceedings were premature because the competent electoral authorities had not yet decided the objections filed through Form No. 7. He also argued that the FIR had been initiated at the instance of political rivals and questioned the parallel police investigation.
The petitioners relied on an earlier order passed by a coordinate Bench in similar cases involving BJP booth-level agents. In those matters, the High Court had stayed the investigation while noting that the electoral authorities had not taken a decision on the applications.
Justice Venkatesh Naik T found the circumstances of the present case comparable to those considered by the coordinate Bench. Explaining the basis for the interim relief, the Court observed:
“The perusal of the aforesaid order and the facts and circumstances involved in the present case are similar.”
The Court further stated:
“In view of maintaining judicial discipline, it is just and proper to stay the investigation till the next date of hearing.”
The order reflects the Bench’s decision to follow the approach adopted in the similar proceedings. It does not amount to a final determination of the allegations against the petitioners.
The Karnataka High Court stayed further investigation in the case until the next date of hearing. It also permitted the State government to seek modification or vacation of the interim order, if necessary.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 29, 2026.
Case Title: Dr. Ravi Basalingappagowda Patil v. State of Karnataka
Case Number: CRL.P 102783/2026
Judge: Justice Venkatesh Naik T
