Bengaluru, May 29 -- The Karnataka High Court on Thursday quashed the state cabinet's decision to withdraw 43 criminal cases, including those linked to the 2022 Old Hubballi riots.

Advocate Girish Bhardwaj had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the legality of the government order issued in October 2024 to withdraw criminal cases in which former ministers, former MLAs and persons belonging to influential organisations were made accused.

Karnataka High Court Chief Justice NV, who heard the arguments, a division bench comprising Justices Anjaria and Arvind has set aside the cabinet decision and issued the order.

The petition mentioned that serious charges have been framed against some of the accused in these 43 cases, i...