India, Feb. 19 -- The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings against Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and 35 other Congress leaders for a April 2022 protest in Bengaluru to demand the resignation of then minister KS Eshwarappa after he was named by a contractor in a suicide note.

"If all that is stated in the charge sheet is what is alleged against you, then everything (concerning political protest) would be muzzled," a bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and PK Mishra observed as the top court posted the matter after six weeks.

"In the meantime, the proceedings against the petitioners in Crime No.54/2022 are stayed," the bench said in its order.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah and 35 Congress leaders including state ministers Ramali...