A Special Court in Bengaluru has directed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara following a complaint related to an alleged public betting incident. The court’s order comes after a private complaint was filed regarding a video that purportedly showed the Minister engaging in a ₹500 wager during a local Kabaddi tournament.
The magistrate observed that the allegations, if true, could constitute an offense under the Karnataka Police Act, which prohibits gambling and betting in public spaces. The court emphasized that individuals holding high public office are expected to uphold the law and that the appearance of engaging in such activities, even in a sporting context, warrants a formal investigation.
The incident reportedly took place during a rural sports event where the Minister was a guest. A video circulated on social media allegedly showed the Minister placing a small bet on one of the competing teams. While supporters of the Minister argued that the gesture was made in jest to encourage the rural athletes and lacked any criminal intent, the petitioner maintained that the law does not distinguish between "serious" and "casual" betting in public view.
The court has directed the jurisdictional police to register the case and conduct a thorough probe to determine the factual circumstances of the event. Under the Karnataka Police Act, betting on games of skill or chance in a public setting is a punishable offense, and the investigation will likely focus on whether the act meets the legal definition of "gaming" as prescribed by the statute.
This legal development has sparked political debate in the state, highlighting the scrutiny faced by public officials regarding their conduct at local community events. The police are expected to submit an initial report to the court within the stipulated timeframe, detailing whether the evidence supports a formal charge-sheet.