The Karnataka government is preparing a new bill to make assaults on public servants non-bailable offences, amid rising incidents of threats and abuse. The proposed law includes penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of ₹50,000. It aims to protect employees across all government institutions from intimidation and property damage.
The Karnataka state government has drafted a bill titled the ‘Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Government Servants and Damage to Property in Government Offices Act, 2026’. Prepared by the department of law and parliamentary affairs, it addresses growing concerns over threats, verbal abuse, and obstruction faced by public servants during their duties.
A senior official noted, “Protecting government personnel and ensuring their dignity at work has become a pressing priority.” He added that incidents of threats, abuse, obstruction, and destruction of public property have affected governance and essential services, necessitating a strong legal framework.
The proposal follows specific cases, including one where Congress leader Rajeev Gowda allegedly verbally abused municipal commissioner Amrutha Gowda in Shidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur district, and threatened to set fire to her office. In another incident, gram panchayat administrator G. Bhavya was threatened by Puttaswamy in Gudamadanahalli village, Mysuru district, who warned, “Your body will fall first,” during an inspection of alleged land encroachment.
Under the draft, violence is defined to include physical assault, intimidation, coercion, threats, verbal abuse, obstruction of work, and damage to government property, extending to electronic communications. It covers all state government offices, schools, colleges, corporations, and autonomous bodies, applying to Group A, B, C, D staff, as well as outsourced and daily wage workers.
Offenders could face up to three years imprisonment and ₹50,000 fines, plus twice the value of damaged property and court-assessed compensation. Unpaid fines would be recoverable as land revenue arrears. The law would complement existing statutes.
This move responds to demands from the Karnataka State Government Employees Association. President CS Shadakshari stated, “Cases of threats, harassment and violence against them have been rising, which has made their working conditions even more difficult.” He expressed expectations for decisive government action.
