<p>A private defamation complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his comment about a Lingayat chief minister during the recent Assembly election has been dismissed by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.<br /><br /><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/first-day-first-ride-many-women-thrilled-by-free-bus-travel-in-karnataka-1226832.html" target="_blank">First day, first ride: Many women thrilled by free bus travel in Karnataka</a></strong></p>.<p>The Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to elected former and sitting MPs/MLAs on Tuesday dismissed the complaint filed for the alleged offences under Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.</p>.<p>The private complaint lodged by Shankar Shet and Mallaiah Hiremath alleged that Siddaramaiah had defamed the Lingayat community with his answer to a question by a journalist during the Assembly election. The Congress leader was asked if his party would make a Lingayat the Chief Minister if it came to power.</p>.<p>Siddaramaiah allegedly replied that then incumbent CM Basavaraj Bommai was a Lingayat who had indulged in corruption and spoilt the state.</p>
<p>A private defamation complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his comment about a Lingayat chief minister during the recent Assembly election has been dismissed by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.<br /><br /><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/first-day-first-ride-many-women-thrilled-by-free-bus-travel-in-karnataka-1226832.html" target="_blank">First day, first ride: Many women thrilled by free bus travel in Karnataka</a></strong></p>.<p>The Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases related to elected former and sitting MPs/MLAs on Tuesday dismissed the complaint filed for the alleged offences under Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.</p>.<p>The private complaint lodged by Shankar Shet and Mallaiah Hiremath alleged that Siddaramaiah had defamed the Lingayat community with his answer to a question by a journalist during the Assembly election. The Congress leader was asked if his party would make a Lingayat the Chief Minister if it came to power.</p>.<p>Siddaramaiah allegedly replied that then incumbent CM Basavaraj Bommai was a Lingayat who had indulged in corruption and spoilt the state.</p>