A Bangalore court has directed the police to register a case against former Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and probe whether some of his remarks had hurt the religious sentiments of Veerashaiva community.

Eighth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate K Palakshappa yesterday passed the orders directing the High Grounds Police to take up the investigation after admitting a private complaint filed by N P Amruthesh, an advocate.

The magistrate has ordered the police to register a case against Kumaraswamy under IPC sections 298 (uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).

In the complaint, the petitioner alleged that Kumaraswamy while addressing the JD (S) executive committee meeting on November 29 had made certain remarks asking pontiffs of Veerashaiva Mutts, including Siddaganga Mutt seer Sri Shivakumara Swami, to keep off from politics.