Criminal Petition No. 6262 of 2024 · The High Court
Case Details
- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF JUNE, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO.6262 OF 2024 (482(Cr.PC) / 528(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. SRI RAMACHANDREGOWDA S/O VENIKATASWAMYGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, R/AT NO.3, 'CHANDRU NIVASA', 13TH MAIN, RMV EXTENSION, SADASHIVANAGAR, BENGALURU-560080.
Legal Reasoning
CHARGE SHEET ADDRESS: SRI RAMACHANDREGOWDA, S/O VENKATASWAMY, SEEKAL VILLAGE, CHINTAMANI TALUK CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT-563125. (BY SRI. R.V.SHIVANANDA REDDY, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KENCHARLAHALLI POLICE STATION, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT REPTD. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560001. 2. SRI M. ANUROOPA S/O V M MUNIVENKATAPPA AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, Digitally signed by GEETHA P G Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA …PETITIONER - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE CHINTAMANI SUB-DIVISION AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT, CHINTAMANI REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560001. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.N. JAGADEESH, ADDL. SPP) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.104/2023 (CRIME NO.38/2023) KENCHARLAHALLI POLICE, FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 171(E) OF IPC PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC AT CHINTAMANI, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT, ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR ORAL ORDER In this petition, the petitioner has sought for the following reliefs: "(a) Call for Trial Court records in C.C.No.104/2023 (Crime No.38/2023) Kencharlahalli police, for the offence punishable under Section 171(E) of IPC pending on the file of the Hon'ble Senior Civil Judge and JMFC at Chintamani, Chikkaballapur District; - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR (b) Quash entire proceedings against Petitioner in C.C.No.104/2023 (Crime No.38/2023) Kencharlahalli police, for the offence punishable under Section 171(E) of IPC pending on the file of the Hon'ble Senior Civil Judge and JMFC at Chintamani, Chikkaballapur District. (c) Pass any such order/s as deems fit by this Hon'ble Court in the facts and circumstances of the case, to meet the ends of justice." 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional SPP for the respondents and perused the material on record. 3. A perusal of the material on record will indicate that respondent No.2/original complainant filed the instant complaint dated 30.03.2023 against the petitioner/accused No.1 and another for the alleged offence punishable under Section 171E of IPC. 4. In pursuance of the same, respondent No.1 conducted investigation and filed a charge sheet which is presently pending in C.C.No.104/2023 before the trial court, in which the petitioner is arraigned as accused No.1. In this context, the impugned complaint reads as under: "(cid:3)ಂ(cid:5)ಾಮ(cid:8) ಉಪ-(cid:11)(cid:12)ಾಗದ ಉಪ ಕೃ(cid:17) (cid:18)(cid:19)ೇ(cid:22)ಶಕ(cid:24)ಾದ ಅನುರೂಪ (cid:30)(cid:31) (cid:11).ಎಂ.ಮು(cid:18)!ೆಂಕಟಪ# 43 ವಷ(cid:22) ಆದ ನನ’ೆ 2023 ರ() ನ*ೆಯುವ - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR CಾDEF (cid:11),ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ ಚು/ಾವ0ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ 3ಡ)ಘಟ6 (cid:11),ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ 7ೇತ9ದ ಅGHಾIJಾK (cid:3)ಲಕಲ/ೇಪ;(cid:22) <ೋಬ= !ಾ>?@’ೆ ¥ÉèöÊAಂB /ೇLMದುN ಅದರಂ(cid:5)ೆ ಈ Pನ P/ಾಂಕ: 30/03/2023 ರಂದು Qೆಳ’ೆS /ಾನು ಕತ(cid:22)ವ>ದ()(cid:19)ಾNಗ 3ಡ)ಘಟ6 (cid:11),ಾನ ಸ(cid:12)ಾ 7ೇತ9HೆD CೇIದ (cid:3)ಂ(cid:5)ಾಮ(cid:8) (cid:5)ಾಲೂ)ಕು (cid:3)ಲಕಲ/ೇಪ;(cid:22) ’ಾ9ಮದ ಪ9CಾT (cid:24)ೆUV (cid:30)(cid:31) (cid:11) QೈಯಣY ರವರ !ಾಸದ ಮ/ೆಯ() ಮತ(cid:19)ಾರI’ೆ ಆLಷ (cid:18)ೕU ಹಂಚಲು Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳನು[ (cid:11)ತರ0ೆ \ಾU ಸಂಗ9]Mರುವ;(cid:19)ಾK (cid:12)ಾ^_(cid:19)ಾರIಂದ \ಾ]^ ಬಂPದುN ಅದರಂ(cid:5)ೆ (cid:19)ಾ= \ಾಡಲು /ಾನು <ಾಗೂ ನನ[ ತಂಡದ ಸದಸ>(cid:24)ಾದ M ? M 215 ಅ‘ಾ@a ಮತು@ ಎb.ಜಗPೕd ಚಂದ9 (cid:11)Ueೕ ’ಾ9ಫg /ೊಂP’ೆ Hೆ.ಎ-40 h-406 iಾiಾಸುjೕ !ಾಹನದ() kಾಲಕ ರlೕd Hೈ!ಾರ ರವ(cid:24)ೊಂP’ೆ (cid:3)ಲಕಲ/ೇಪ;(cid:22) ’ಾ9ಮHೆD <ೋK (cid:3)ಲಕಲ/ೇಪ;(cid:22) ’ಾ9ಮ ಪಂkಾA@ ?.U.ಓ ಅGHಾIJಾದ ಎ(cid:31).(cid:11) ರ(cid:11) <ಾಗೂ Hಾಯ(cid:22)ದ3(cid:22) h.ಆg ಕೃnಾY(cid:24)ೆUV, ರವರನು[ ಪಂkಾ(cid:24)ಾK ಬರ\ಾUHೊಂಡು ಅವ(cid:24)ೊಂP’ೆ ಪ9CಾT (cid:24)ೆUV ರವರ !ಾಸದ ಮ/ೆ’ೆ <ೋK ಸದI ಮ/ೆಯನು[ oೆpೕಧ \ಾಡ‘ಾK ಸದI ಮ/ೆಯ ಮಲಗುವ Hೋ0ೆ ಮಂಚದ Hೆಳ’ೆ 2 qಾ)M6r ’ೋ(cid:8) (cid:3)ೕಲಗ=ದುN ಅವನು[ <ೊರ (cid:5)ೆ’ೆದು /ೋಡ‘ಾK ಅವ;ಗಳ() <ೊಸ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳs ಇದುN ಇವ; Hಾಟ(cid:31) L39ತ (cid:24)ೇnೆ_ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗuಾKದುN ಇವನು[ qಾ)M6r ಕವg (cid:18)ಂದ qಾ>r \ಾಡ‘ಾKದುN, ಈ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳನು[ (cid:30)= ಬಣYದ Hೈ (cid:3)ೕಲದ() <ಾv ಇw6ದುN ಈ Hೈ (cid:3)ೕಲದ lೕ‘ೆ HೇಸI ಬಣYದ() "(cid:12)ಾರx \ಾ(cid:5)ಾ v yೈ' <ಾಗೂ ಎರಡು ಕ*ೆ ಓಂ (cid:3)ತ9ಗ=ದುN ಅದರ ಮಧ>ದ() Mೕಕz (cid:24)ಾಮಚಂದ9’ೌಡ ಮತು@ ನ(cid:24)ೇಂದ9 jೕP ರವರ (cid:12)ಾವ(cid:3)ತ9ವನು[ ಮುP9Mರು(cid:5)ೆ@. ಇದರ Hೆಳ’ೆ Mೕಕz (cid:24)ಾಮಚಂದ9’ೌಡ ಉದ>L ಮತು@ ಸ\ಾಜ Cೇವಕರು ಅದರ Hೆಳ’ೆ ಅ|ವೃP}~ೕ ಮಂತ9 ಇದರ Hೆಳ’ೆ (cid:30).yೆ.?.’ೆ ಮತ ಎಂದು ಪಕDದ() 3ಡ)ಘಟ6 (cid:11),ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ ಎಂದು ಅದರ ಪಕDದ() (cid:30)yೆ?’ೆ ಮತ, (cid:24)ಾಜ>HೆD ]ತ" ಎಂದು ಮುP9Mರುವ Hೈ (cid:3)ೕಲಗಳs ಇದುN ಇವ;ಗಳನು[ ಎ(cid:8)ಸ‘ಾK 20 Hೈ (cid:3)ೕಲಗಳs ಇದುN ಇವ;ಗಳ() Hಾಟ(cid:31) L39ತ (cid:24)ೇnೆ_ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗuಾKದುN, (cid:11)(cid:11)ಧ ಬಣYದ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗuಾKರುತ@!ೆ. ನಂತರ ಮ(cid:5)ೊ@ಂದು ’ೋ(cid:8) (cid:3)ೕಲ (cid:5)ೆ’ೆದು /ೋಡ‘ಾK ಅದರ() <ೊಸ(cid:19)ಾದ Hಾಟ(cid:31) L39ತ (cid:24)ೇnೆ_ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗuಾKದುN, ಇವ;ಗಳನು[ - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR qಾ)M6r ಕವI(cid:18)ಂದ qಾ>r \ಾUರು(cid:5)ಾ@(cid:24)ೆ. ಎ(cid:8)ಸ‘ಾK 18 (cid:24)ೇnೆ_ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗ=ದNವ;. ಒಟು6 38 Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗ=ದುN, ಇವ;ಗಳ - ಆಂ(cid:19)ಾಜು Qೆ‘ೆ 40,000/- ರೂಗuಾKರು(cid:5)ೆ@. ಇವ;ಗಳನು[ ’ೋ(cid:8) (cid:3)ೕಲದ()ಟು6 <ೊ‘ೆದು qಾ>r \ಾU ¥ÀAZÀgÀ ಸ]ಗ=ರುವ (cid:3)ೕwಯನು[ ಅಂwM ಮ(cid:19)ಾ>ಹ[ 14.30 ಗಂiೆAಂದ 15.30 ಗಂiೆವ(cid:24)ೆ’ೆ ಪಂಚ/ಾl ಜರುKಸ‘ಾKರು(cid:5)ೆ@. ಚು/ಾವ0ೆ (cid:18)ೕ^ ಸಂ](cid:5)ೆ ಉಲ)ಂಘ/ೆ \ಾU \ಾತ(cid:19)ಾರI’ೆ ಅLಷ <ೊಡುVವ ಸಲು!ಾK Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳನು[ zÀ¸ÁÛ£ÀÄ \ಾUರುವ;ದು Hಾನೂನು Iೕತ> ಅಪ(cid:24)ಾದ!ಾKರುವ;ದIಂದ ಸದI Mೕ(cid:24)ೇಗಳನು[ (cid:18)ೕUರುವ (cid:30).yೆ.? ಪ(cid:128)ದ wHೆ(cid:129) ಆHಾಂ(cid:130)JಾKರುವ Mೕಕz.(cid:24)ಾಮಚಂದ9’ೌಡ <ಾಗೂ Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳನು[ ದCಾ@ನು \ಾUರುವ ಪ9CಾT (cid:24)ೆUV (cid:30)(cid:31) ‘ೇ(cid:129) (cid:11).QೈಯಣY, 65 ವಷ(cid:22), ವಕD(ಗರು (cid:18)ವೃತ@ 3(cid:128)ಕರು, !ಾಸ: (cid:3)ಲಕಲ/ೇಪ;(cid:22) ’ಾ9ಮ, (cid:3)ಂ(cid:5)ಾಮ(cid:8) (cid:5)ಾಲೂ)ಕು j.ನಂ:9731818407 ರವರುಗಳ (cid:11)ರುದ} Hಾನೂನು ಕ9ಮ ಜರುKಸಲು Hೋರು(cid:5)ೆ@ೕ/ೆ." 5. The summary of the charge sheet reads as under: CಾDEF "HೇMನ ಸಂ(cid:130)ಪ@ Cಾ(cid:24)ಾಂಶ ಕಲ೦ 171 (ಈ) ಐ.?.M. ಈ ಪ9ಕರಣದ Cಾ(cid:130)-1 ರವರು 2023 /ೇ Cಾ(ನ(, ನ*ೆಯುವ (cid:11),ಾನ ಸ(cid:12)ೆ ಚು/ಾವ0ೆ ಸಂಬಂಧ 142- 3ಡ)ಘಟ6 (cid:11),ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ 7ೇತ9HೆD CೇIದ ’ಾ9ಮಗ=’ೆ ಅGHಾIJಾK /ೇಮಕ’ೊಂUದುN, P/ಾಂಕ: 30/03/2023 ¥ÉèöÊAಂB ರಂದು ಮ(cid:19)ಾ>ಹ[ Cಾ(cid:130)-1 ರವI’ೆ Hೆಂkಾಲ(cid:22)ಹ=(cid:134), (cid:135)(ೕb (cid:136)ಾ0ಾ ಸರಹದುN, (cid:3)ಲಕಲ/ೇಪ;(cid:22) ’ಾ9ಮದ() !ಾಸ!ಾKರುವ ಈ (cid:19)ೋnಾ(cid:24)ೋಪ0ೆ ಪw6 ಅಂಕಣ-12 ರ() ಕಂಡ ಆ(cid:24)ೋ?-2 ರವರ !ಾಸದ ಮ/ೆಯ() ಚು/ಾವ0ೆ (cid:18)ೕ^ ಸಂ](cid:5)ೆ ಉಲ)ಂಘ/ೆ \ಾU ಮತ(cid:19)ಾರI’ೆ ಹಂಚಲು Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳನು[ (cid:19)ಾCಾ@ನು \ಾUರುವ;(cid:19)ಾK ಖ(cid:3)ತ \ಾ]^ lೕ(cid:24)ೆ’ೆ Cಾ(cid:130)-1 ರವರು ಸHಾ(cid:22)I hೕ(cid:138) ಸಂ(cid:139)ೆ>- KA-40-G-406 iಾiಾ ಸುjೕ !ಾಹನದ() Cಾ(cid:130)-2 Iಂದ Cಾ(cid:130)-6 ರವ(cid:24)ೊಂP’ೆ P/ಾಂಕ:30/03/2023 ರಂದು ಮ(cid:19)ಾ>ಹ[ 14-30 Iಂದ 15-30 ರವ(cid:24)ೆ(cid:11)’ೆ ಪಂಚರ ಸಮ(cid:128)ಮ ಆ(cid:24)ೋ?-2 ರವರ !ಾಸದ ಮ/ೆಯ() (cid:19)ಾ= \ಾUದುN, (cid:19)ಾ= ಸಮಯದ(), - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR ಆ(cid:24)ೋ?-2 ರವರು ಚು/ಾವ0ೆ (cid:18)ೕ^ ಸಂ](cid:5)ೆ ಉಲ)ಂಘ/ೆ \ಾU 3ಡ)ಘಟ6 (cid:11),ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ 7ೇತ9 (cid:30).yೆ.? ಪ(cid:128)ದ wHೆ(cid:129) ಆHಾಂ(cid:130)JಾKರುವ ಆ(cid:24)ೋ?-1 ರವರ ಪರ!ಾK ಮತ(cid:19)ಾರI’ೆ ಹಂಚುವ ಸಲು!ಾK ಸು\ಾರು 40 Cಾ(cid:11)ರ Qೆ‘ೆ Qಾಳsವ 38 Mೕ(cid:24)ೆಗಳನು[ ಆ(cid:24)ೋ?-2 ರವರ ಮ/ೆಯ(), (cid:19)ಾCಾ@ನು \ಾUರುವ;(cid:19)ಾK ಇದುವ(cid:24)ೆ(cid:11)ಗೂ Hೈ’ೊಂUರುವ ತ(cid:18)(cid:139)ೆAಂದ ಆ(cid:24)ೋಪ <ೊರಪw6ರು(cid:5)ೆ@." 6. A perusal of the complaint, FIR and the charge sheet will indicate that sarees were seized from the vehicle mentioned therein in which the petitioner was not traveling when the same was seized in violation of the offence punishable under Section 171E of IPC, which reads as under: 171E. Punishment for bribery.—Whoever commits the offence of bribery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both: Provided that bribery by treating shall be punished with fine only. Explanation.—“Treating” means that form of bribery where the gratification consists in food, drink, entertainment, or provision. 7. A perusal of the material on record will also indicate that so long as the petitioner/accused No.1 was not an inmate or passenger traveling in the Car containing the incriminating material, the petitioner cannot be prosecuted for the offence punishable under Section 171E of IPC. - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR 8. It is also relevant to state that a perusal of the charge sheet material comprising of the statement of witnesses and the documents etc. do not reveal that the petitioner is guilty of the alleged offence especially when he was not an inmate or passenger traveling in the Car where the incriminating material was found at the time of seizure. Under these facts and circumstances obtaining in the present case, I am of the considered opinion that continuation of the impugned proceedings would amount to an abuse of process of law warranting interference in the present petition. 9.
Decision
In the result, I pass the following: ORDER (i) The petition is hereby allowed; (ii) The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.104/2023 arising out of Crime No.38/2023, which is pending on the file of the Senior Civil Judge and JMFC at Chintamani, Chikkaballapur District, insofar as the petitioner is concerned, are hereby quashed; (iii) Liberty is reserved in favour of the respondents to proceed against the remaining accused; - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC:22645 CRL.P No. 6262 of 2024 HC-KAR (iv) It is made clear that quashment of the impugned proceedings is restricted only in favour of the petitioner and not against the remaining accused and the trial court shall proceed further in the matter. Sd/- (S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR) JUDGE Hkh/Srl. List No.: 1 Sl No.: 0