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In re: Jurisdiction for complaints regarding false election affidavits

The Supreme Court of India ruled on 16 October 2026 that private citizens are entitled to file criminal complaints against candidates for submitting false election affidavits without requiring prior official sanction. This judgment overturned a March 2025 Karnataka High Court order that had restricted such authority to the Election Commission. While affirming the maintainability of private complaints, the Court quashed specific proceedings against Karnataka MLA Shailendra Beldale on 19 October 2026 due to insufficient grounds.

Geeta Ramappa Terdal vs State of Karnataka

On 24 October 2026, the Karnataka High Court set aside a single bench order and directed the regularisation of 64-year-old Geeta Ramappa Terdal, who served the Directorate of Municipal Administration as a daily wage typist for 34 years. The court ruled that the state cannot deny employment security to workers for decades and ordered the payment of back pay and benefits following her retirement.

State vs Sandeep Kumar

The Karnataka High Court quashed an FIR registered against a social media account administrator, Sandeep Kumar, who had been accused over a post related to a stalking incident in Puttur. The court ruled in favour of the petitioner, noting that the registration of multiple FIRs for the same incident was unwarranted and issued guidelines to restrict arbitrary police action regarding social media posts.

Bengaluru Doctor — Assault case involving illegal immigrants

The Karnataka High Court quashed the criminal case against a Bengaluru doctor on 16 October 2026, following his arrest over a dispute involving allegations of illegal immigration. Subsequently, on 23 October 2026, the court directed the state government to operationalise district-level committees for the identification of illegal immigrants in accordance with Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines within three months.

Mahammed Hanif and others vs State of Karnataka and another

The Karnataka High Court quashed an FIR registered against individuals for putting up posters criticizing a Supreme Court judgment. The court ruled that expressing dissent against a judicial verdict, even in strong terms, does not constitute the offense of promoting enmity between groups or outraging religious feelings.

Challenge to the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) (Amendment) Act, 2022

On 12 October 2026, the Karnataka High Court struck down the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) (Amendment) Act, 2022, ruling that the 50 percent total reservation ceiling is a binding constitutional principle. Following this, the Karnataka Cabinet formally resolved to challenge the decision by filing a special leave petition in the Supreme Court on 15 October 2026, a move that is opposed by the Dr. Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Federation.

Karnataka High Court — Criminal Proceedings Cannot Be Used in Partition Dispute

The Karnataka High Court ruled on 15 October 2026 that the existence of a pending partition suit does not automatically invalidate subsequent criminal allegations, requiring each case to be assessed on its merits. This development clarifies the court's stance following previous 2025 and 2026 rulings that quashed criminal proceedings when it determined that criminal law was being weaponized in civil property disputes. The matter is currently active following the October 2026 ruling.

State of Karnataka vs. Prajwal Revanna — rape and sexual assault case

Former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was sentenced to life imprisonment on 01 August 2025 by a Bengaluru special court for the rape of his maid and recording sexual assault videos. As reported on 13 October 2026, his transfer from Bengaluru Central Prison to Hindalga Prison was delayed following the discovery of prohibited items in his cell, and on 14 October 2026, a special court denied bail to three individuals accused of providing him with a mobile phone while in custody.

State vs Police Officers — Karnataka Bitcoin Scam Investigation

A Special Investigation Team investigated four police officers, including a CCB DySP and three inspectors, for alleged involvement in a Bitcoin-related crime in Karnataka. The cases against these officers were closed as reported on 10 July 2026 after the Karnataka government denied prosecution sanction. Separately, hacker Srikrishna Ramesh was granted conditional bail by the Karnataka High Court on 8 October 2026 in a linked money laundering case.

State of Karnataka vs Suraj Revanna — 2019 Attempt to Murder Case

The Karnataka High Court quashed a sessions court order that had arraigned JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna as an accused in a 2019 attempt to murder case. The court set aside the order after reviewing the legal validity of his inclusion in the proceedings.

State vs Kodagu Homestay Owner — Illegal Arrest and Rape FIR Case

The Karnataka High Court quashed all criminal charges against a Kodagu homestay owner on 26 August 2026, ruling that he had no legal duty to report the crime involving a U.S. tourist. Previously, the High Court ordered the State to pay him ₹5 lakh for an illegal arrest, a compensation amount upheld by the Supreme Court on 24 September 2026 after the State's appeal was dismissed.

Siddaramaiah vs State of Karnataka — MUDA case

This case concerns allegations of land allotment irregularities by the Mysore Urban Development Authority involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Although a trial court accepted a closure report filed by the Lokayukta police, activist Snehamayi Krishna challenged that decision at the Karnataka High Court on 23 September 2026. The matter is pending further consideration by the High Court.

Property dispute case — SC/ST Act proceedings quashed in Karnataka

The Karnataka High Court quashed criminal proceedings against seven persons from Anekal taluk, finding that the case constituted an abuse of process of law and that the dispute was essentially civil in nature.

State vs Mangalamma and family — Cow theft case

An FIR for cow theft was filed against Mangalamma's family by MK Doddi police nearly two years after the alleged incident, without basic enquiry. The Karnataka High Court found the police probe deficient and quashed the proceedings against Mangalamma's family.

State vs Siddhanth Kapoor and others — 2022 Bengaluru drug case

Actor Siddhanth Kapoor and two others were booked in a 2022 Bengaluru rave party drug case. The Karnataka High Court has quashed the FIR against all three accused, bringing an end to the proceedings.

State of Karnataka vs Unnamed Accused — POCSO acquittal appeal

The Karnataka High Court upheld the acquittal of the accused, Laxman, in a POCSO case. The court confirmed that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt due to inconsistent and untrustworthy victim testimony, as reported on 10 March 2026.

State vs Nirmala Sitharaman — Electoral Bonds extortion allegation

A Bengaluru Special Court previously ordered the registration of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding alleged extortion via the electoral bonds scheme. On 3 December 2024, the Karnataka High Court quashed the criminal proceedings and the associated FIR in this matter.