Published Jul 29, 2026 | 5:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 29, 2026 | 5:53 PM
Karnataka High Court. (Anusha Ravi Sood/South First)
Synopsis: The Karnataka High Court has stayed further investigation in two criminal cases registered against Bengaluru-based doctor and social activist Dr Nagendra , after he was booked following complaints filed by two individuals he had identified as illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in the city.
A single-judge bench of Karnataka High Court of Justice M Nagaprasanna, hearing Dr Nagendra’s petition seeking quashing of the FIRs, strongly criticised the Bellandur and Varthur police for what it called an apparent abuse of the criminal process, and questioned why cases were registered against the complainant rather than the allegations being verified first.
According to multiple reports, Dr Nagendra had been assisting police in identifying suspected illegal immigrants in Bengaluru.
On 22 July, he informed authorities that two individuals named in reports as Nasreena of Hosasiddapura and Mohammed Saidulla Islam of Kodathi village, were Bangladeshi nationals who had been living in the city without valid documentation.
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Following this, the two individuals filed complaints against Dr Nagendra alleging assault and criminal intimidation, among other offences. The police subsequently registered two back to back FIRs against him on this basis, and he was arrested before later being released.
He then approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIRs and protection from coercive action, arguing that the cases against him were retaliatory and registered without due verification.
Justice Nagaprasanna was sharply critical of the police’s conduct during the hearing on 28 July, according to a report by the Bar and Bench.
The court reportedly questioned how an FIR could be registered on the basis of a complaint in which the complainants themselves stated they had been residing in the city for years without documentation, and pointed out that their stated address referenced Bangladesh – asking why such a complaint was entertained at all, according to Bar and Bench.
The bench also observed that the police had failed to verify the complainants’ status before initiating criminal proceedings against Dr Nagendra.
Terming the police’s conduct a threat to national security, the judge remarked that while courts had directed deportation of illegal immigrants, police were instead entertaining complaints from such individuals and filing cases against the citizens who had exposed them.
The court also made pointed oral remarks directed at the state’s Home Department, asking why it was not acting to control illegal immigration instead of allowing such cases to be filed.
Justice Nagaprasanna stayed further investigation in both criminal cases against Dr Nagendra, holding that the facts before the court prima facie indicated an abuse of the criminal process. The court also directed that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) be made a respondent in the matter and report on the status of the two individuals identified as illegal immigrants.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 6, 2026.
The order has since drawn political comment. Karnataka BJP president and MLA B Vijayendra condemned the registration of the FIR against Dr Nagendra, alleging that the state government was targeting individuals who spoke up on issues related to national security.
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(Edited by Sumavarsha)
