Bangaluru , 30 August (H.S.):The Karnataka government has constituted a six-member Cabinet sub-committee to scrutinise criminal cases pending before courts across the State and identify those that may be considered for withdrawal.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge will head the committee, which has been tasked with examining individual cases and submitting recommendations to the State government.

The other members are Social Welfare Minister K. H. Muniyappa; Health and Family Welfare, Minority Welfare, Haj and Wakf Minister U.T. Khader; Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda; Municipal Administration Minister H. C. Balakrishna; and Urban Development Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

According to the government, the committee will undertake a detailed examination of criminal cases pending before various courts in Karnataka. It will determine whether any of them merit withdrawal after considering the circumstances in which they were registered and their subsequent legal developments.

The panel will assess each case on its merits, taking into account the nature of the alleged offence, its background and other relevant considerations. The committee is also expected to examine whether withdrawing a case would be legally permissible and consistent with the public interest.

Cases recommended for withdrawal will have to comply with the rules and procedures governing such decisions. The committee's recommendations will be forwarded to the State government, which will take the final decision after completing the necessary administrative and legal formalities.

The constitution of the panel is expected to facilitate a systematic review of cases for which withdrawal requests or representations may have been submitted to the government. However, the formation of the committee does not automatically result in the closure of any criminal proceedings.

Any case selected for withdrawal will have to go through the prescribed legal process. The prosecution must approach the court concerned, and the proceedings can be withdrawn only after the court grants its approval under the applicable provisions of law.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman