Criminal Petition No. 6261 of 2024 · The High Court
Case Details
- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 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. 6261 OF 2024 (482(Cr.PC) / 528(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. SRI RAMACHANDREGOWDA S.V. S/O VENKATASWAMYGOWDA AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS R/AT NO.3, 'CHANDRU NIVASA' 13TH MAIN, RMV EXTENSION SADASHIVANAGAR BENGALURU-560080. …PETITIONER Digitally signed by GEETHA P G Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA (BY SRI. R V SHIVANANDA REDDY, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA
Legal Reasoning
BY DIBBURAHALLI POLICE STATION SHIDDLAGHATTA CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTSRICT REPTD. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR. B R AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALURU-560001.
Legal Reasoning
2. SMT. KRISHNAVENI @ KRUSHNAVENI AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR SENIOR GEOLOGIST MINES AND MINERALS DEPARTMENT CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR. B R AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALURU-560001. (BY SRI. B.N. JAGADEESH, ADDL. SPP FOR RESPONDENT NO.1) …RESPONDENTS THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO QUASH ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.454/2023 (CRIME NO.45/2023) DIBBURAHALLI POLICE, FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 127(A) OF RP ACT, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE ADDITIONAL CIVIL JUDGE & JMFC AT SIDLAGHATTA, CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT ETC. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR ORAL ORDER In this petition, the petitioner has sought for the following reliefs: "(a) Call for Trial Court records in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023) Dibburahalli police, for the offence punishable under Section 127(A) of RP Act, pending on the file of the Addl. Civil Judge & JMFC at Sidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District; (b) Quash entire proceedings against Petitioner in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023) Dibburahalli police, for the offence punishable under Section 127(A) of RP Act, pending on the file of the Addl.Civil Judge & JMFC at Sidlaghatta, 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 respondent No.1 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 06.04.2023 against the petitioner/accused No.2 and another for the - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR alleged offences punishable under Section 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951. 4. In pursuance of the same, respondent No.1 conducted investigation and filed a charge sheet which is presently pending in C.C.No.454/2023 before the trial court in which the petitioner is arraigned as accused No.2. In this context, the impugned complaint reads as under: "(cid:1)ಷಯ:-ಮುಂ(cid:7)ನ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ೆ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ೆ ಸಂಬಂದ ಪ(cid:21)(cid:22)ಾರ (cid:24)ಾಡುವ ಸಲು(cid:27)ಾ(cid:28) (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಪ ದ ಧ"ಜಗಳ&, ’ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು )*+ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳನು- .ಾ/ಾ01ೆ (cid:24)ಾಡು*+ದ2 1ೆಎ-04-ಎಂ4-3069 ಇ(cid:15)ೊ-ೕ(cid:27)ಾ (cid:27)ಾಹನ, (cid:27)ಾಹನದ (cid:22)ಾಲಕ ಮತು+ ಧ"ಜ, ’ಾಲು (ಾಗು )*+ಪತ(cid:21) (cid:24)ಾ:ೕಕರ ;ೕ<ೆ 1ಾನೂನು ಕ(cid:21)ಮ ಜರು(cid:28)ಸುವ ಬ/ೆ=. ******* ;ೕಲAಂಡ (cid:1)ಷಯ1ೆA ಸಂಬಂ(cid:7)BದಂCೆ DಕAಬEಾFಪGರ H<ೆI ಗ0 ಮತು+ ಭೂ (cid:1)Kಾನ ಇ<ಾLೆಯ:I 1ೆಲಸ MವNOಸು*+ರುವ ಕೃಷQ(cid:27)ೇ0 ಆದ ನನ/ೆ 2023 ರ ಕ(cid:15)ಾNಟಕ TಾಜU (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ .ಾವN*(cid:21)ಕ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ೆಯ VಡIಘಟX (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನ ಸ(cid:12)ಾ Yೇತ(cid:21)-142ದ ಎಂ.B.B/¥ÉèöÊZಂ[ .ಾA\]-2 ತಂಡದ ಮುಖUಸ_Tಾ(cid:28) (cid:15)ೇ‘Bದು2, ಈ (cid:7)ನ (cid:7)(cid:15)ಾಂಕ:06/04/2023ರಂದು (cid:15)ಾನು, b:ೕc Bಬdಂ(cid:7)eಾದ VಡIಘಟX ನಗರ b:ೕc fಾ(cid:17)ೆಯ ಪ(cid:21)(cid:1)ೕg ಕು(cid:24)ಾh, B,(cid:31).B-554, (cid:1)ijೕ /ಾ(cid:21)ಫh eಾBೕl ರವರು Hೕm ನಂಬh 1ೆಎ-04 H-1488 ರ:I ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ VಡIಘಟX (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ (cid:27)ಾU(cid:31)+ಯ:I ಗಸು+ (cid:24)ಾi1ೊಂಡು nೆo/ೆ= 11.40 ಗಂpೆಯ ಸಮಯದ:I VಡIಘಟX-(cid:7)§ÆâರಹoF, ಮುಖU ರ.ೆ+ಯ ಅಜsಕ(cid:7)TೇನಹoF /ೇt /ೆ ಬಂuಾಗ (cid:7)§ÆâರಹoF ಕvೆZಂದ - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR ನಂ.1ೆಎ-04-ಎಂ4-3069 (cid:15)ೊಂದ0 ಸಂLೆUಯ (cid:29)o ಬಣQದ ಇ£ÉÆßÃ(cid:27)ಾ (cid:27)ಾಹನ ಬಂ(cid:7)ದು2, (cid:15)ಾವG ಸದx (cid:27)ಾಹನವನು- M:IB (cid:22)ೆy (cid:24)ಾಡ<ಾ(cid:28) (cid:27)ಾಹನದ Oಂ(cid:12)ಾಗದ izAಯ:I (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಪ ದ ಧ"ಜಗಳ&, ’ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು ಮುಖಪGಟದ:I Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ(cid:21)ೕ/ೌಡ ಎಂತ (ೆಸxರುವ )*+ ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳ& ಇದು2 (cid:22)ಾಲಕನನು- ಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ(cid:28)ಸಲು ಅನುಮ*ಯ ಬ/ೆ= 1ೇಳ<ಾ(cid:28) ಸದx 1ಾxನ (cid:22)ಾಲಕ ನಮ} ಬo eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ* ಇರುವG(cid:7)ಲI(cid:27)ೆಂದು ಇವGಗಳನು- ಮುಂ(cid:7)ನ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ೆ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ೆಯ:I VಡIಘಟX Yೇತ(cid:21)ದ:I (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಪ ದ ವ*Zಂದ ಸ~(cid:9)ೆN (cid:24)ಾಡ:ರುವ Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ(cid:21)ೕ/ೌಡರವರು ಮುಂಬರುವ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮತuಾರx/ೆ ಪ(cid:21)(cid:22)ಾರ (cid:24)ಾಡುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ(cid:7)ಂದ Cೆ/ೆದು1ೊಂಡು (ೋಗಲು (ೇoೕರುCಾ+Tೆಂತ *oBರುCಾ+Tೆ. ಸದx 1ಾxನ (cid:22)ಾಲಕನ (ೆಸರು (ಾಗೂ (cid:1)Eಾಸ 1ೇಳ<ಾ(cid:28) ರಘ(cid:129). (cid:1) (cid:29)l Dನ-(cid:27)ೆಂಕಟTಾಯಪ~, 34 ವಷN, ವಕA:ಗರು, 1ಾxನ (cid:22)ಾಲಕ, (cid:27)ೆಂಕpೇಶಪ°è /ಾ(cid:21)ಮ, (cid:22)ೇಳ(cid:130)ರು CಾಲೂIಕು, DಕAಬEಾFಪGರ H<ೆI ಎಂದು *oBದು2 1ಾxನ izAಯ:Iದ2ವGಗಳನು- ಪxVೕ:ಸ<ಾ(cid:28) (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು, PÀªÀÄ®zÀ D£É í EgÀĪÀ 42 ಧ"ಜ (nಾವGಟ)ಗಳ&, (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು, ಕಮಲದ D£É íಇರುವ 205 ’ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು ªÀÄÄR¥ÀÄlzÀ°è ²qÀèWÀlÖzÀ Biಲ (cid:15)ಾಯಕ ಭರವ.ೆjಂದು nೆEೆದು ಬಂದ uಾx Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ(cid:21)ೕ/ೌಡ ಎಂತ ಇರುವ 140 ಭ*+ ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳ& ಇರುvÉÛ 1ಾxನ (cid:22)ಾಲಕ ರಘ(cid:129). (cid:1) (cid:29)l Dನ-(cid:27)ೆಂಕಟTಾಯಪ~ (ಾಗು Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ(cid:21)ೕ/ೌಡ ರವರು ಮುಂಬರುವ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮತuಾರx/ೆ (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಪ 1ೆA ಮತ ಚ<ಾZಸಲು ಪ(cid:21)(cid:22)ಾರ (cid:24)ಾಡುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ(cid:7)ಂದ )*+ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳ ;ೕ<ೆ ಪ(cid:21)1ಾಶಕರ (ೆಸರನು- ಮTೆ(cid:24)ಾD (ಾಗೂ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ (cid:27)ೆಚ(cid:131)ವನು- ಮTೆ(cid:24)ಾಚುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ(cid:7)ಂದ eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ* ಪvೆಯuೇ ಧ"ಜ (ಾಗು ’ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು )*+ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳನು- (ಾಗು ಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ(cid:28)ಸು*+ದ2 (cid:27)ಾಹನವನು- ಪಂಚರ ಸಮ ಮ ಅ(cid:24)ಾನತು+ ಪiB1ೊಂಡು ಮುಂ(cid:7)ನ ಕ(cid:21)ಮದ ಸಲು(cid:27)ಾ(cid:28) fಾ(cid:17)ೆ/ೆ ಬಂದು ದೂರು Mೕಡು*+ದು2 1ೆಎ-04-ಎಂ4- 3069 ರ (cid:27)ಾಹನದ (cid:22)ಾಲಕ ರಘ(cid:129). (cid:31) (cid:29)l Dನ-(cid:27)ೆಂಕಟTಾಯಪ~ (ಾಗು Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ(cid:21)ೕ/ೌಡ ರವರ (cid:1)ರುದ(cid:132) ಮುಂ(cid:7)ನ 1ಾನೂನು ಕ(cid:21)ಮ 1ೈ/ೊಳFಲು 1ೋರುCೆ+ೕ(cid:15)ೆ." ಆದ2xಂದ F uೋ(cid:134)ಾTೋಪ(cid:17)ಾ ಪnÖ" - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR 5. The summary of the charge sheet reads as under: "ಕಲಂ 127 ಎ ಆh.(cid:31) ಆyX xೕCಾU uೋ(cid:134)ಾTೋಪ(cid:17)ಾ ಪ4X. (cid:7)(cid:15)ಾಂಕ:06/04/2023 ರಂದು ಮುಂಬರುವ 2023 ರ:I ನvೆಯುವ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ²qÀèWÀlÖ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ Yೇತ(cid:21)-142 /¥ÉèöÊZಂ[ .ಾA\] ತಂಡ-2 ಮುಖU¸ÀÜTಾದ .ಾ(cid:135)-01 ರವರು .ಾ(cid:135)-02,03,04 ರವರು 1ೆಎ-04 H-1488 Hೕm (cid:27)ಾಹನದ°è VಡIಘಟX-(cid:7)§ÆâರಹoF, ಮುಖU ರ.ೆ+ಯ ಅಜsಕ(cid:7)TೇನಹoF /ೇt /ೆ ಬಂuಾಗ (cid:7)§ÆâರಹoF ಕvೆZಂದ ನಂ. 1ೆಎ- 04-ಎಂ4-3069 (cid:15)ೊಂದ0 ಸಂLೆUಯ (cid:29)o ಬಣQದ ಇ£ÉÆßÃ(cid:27)ಾ (cid:27)ಾಹನ ಬಂ(cid:7)ದು2 ಸದx (cid:27)ಾಹನವನು- M:IB (cid:22)ೆy (cid:24)ಾಡ<ಾ(cid:28) (cid:27)ಾಹನದ Oಂ(cid:12)ಾಗದ izAಯ:I 1ಾxನ izAಯ:Iದ2ವGಗಳನು- ಪxVೕ:ಸ<ಾ(cid:28) (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು, PÀªÀÄ®zÀ D£É í EgÀĪÀ 42 ಧ"ಜ (nಾವGಟ)ಗಳ&, (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು, ಕಮಲದ D£É íಇರುವ 205 ’ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು ªÀÄÄR¥ÀÄlzÀ°è ²qÀèWÀlÖzÀ Biಲ (cid:15)ಾಯಕ ಭರವ.ೆjಂದು nೆEೆದು ಬಂದ uಾx Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ(cid:21)ೕ/ೌಡ ಎಂತ ಇರುವ 140 ಭ*+ ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳ& ಇದು2 uೋ(cid:134)ಾTೋಪಣ ಪತ(cid:21)ದ ಅಂಕಣ-12 ಕಂಡ ಆTೋ(cid:31)-01 ರವರನು- ಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ(cid:28)ಸಲು ಅನುಮ*ಯ ಬ/ೆ=, 1ೇಳ<ಾ(cid:28) ಆTೋ(cid:31)-01 ರವರು ನಮ} ಬo eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ* ಇರುವG(cid:7)ಲI(cid:27)ೆಂದು ಇವGಗಳನು- ಮುಂ(cid:7)ನ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ೆ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ೆಯ°è VqÀèಘಟX Yೇತ(cid:21)ದ:I (cid:29)(cid:30)ೆ(cid:31) ಪ ದ ವ*Zಂದ ಸ~(cid:9)ೆN (cid:24)ಾಡ:ರುವ ಆTೋ(cid:31)-02 ಪರ(cid:27)ಾ(cid:28) ರವರು ಮುಂಬರುವ (cid:1)(cid:9)ಾನಸ(cid:12)ಾ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮತuಾರx/ೆ ಪ(cid:21)(cid:22)ಾರ (cid:24)ಾಡುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ(cid:7)ಂದ )*+ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳ ;ೕ<ೆ ಪ(cid:21)1ಾಶಕರ (ೆಸರನು- ಮTೆ(cid:24)ಾD (ಾಗೂ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ (cid:27)ೆಚ(cid:131)ವನು- ಮTೆ(cid:24)ಾಚುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ(cid:7)ಂದ eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ* ಪvೆಯuೇ ಧ"ಜ (ಾಗು ’ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು )*+ಪತ(cid:21)ಗಳನು- (ಾಗು ಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ(cid:28)ಸು*+ದ2 (cid:27)ಾಹನ ವನು- ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ Mೕ* ಸಂOCೆ ಉಲIಂಘ(cid:15)ೆ (cid:24)ಾiರುವ 1ಾರಣ .ಾ(cid:135)-1 ರವರು .ಾ(cid:135)-5 & 6 ರವರನು- ಪಂಚTಾ(cid:28) ಬರ(cid:24)ಾi1ೊಂಡು uಾo (cid:24)ಾiuಾಗ ಅಂಕಣ-12 ರ:I ಕಂಡ 01 & 02 ಆTೋ(cid:31)ಗಳ& - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ(cid:136)1ಾxಗoಂದ eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ*ZಲIuೇ ಚು(cid:15)ಾವ(cid:17)ಾ Mೕ* ಸಂOCೆಯನು- ಉ®èAಘ(cid:15)ೆ (cid:24)ಾiರುವGuಾ(cid:28) ತMLೆZಂದ ದೃಢಪ4XರುCೆ+. ಆದ2xಂದ ಈ uೋ(cid:134)ಾTೋಪ(cid:17)ಾ ಪ4X." 6. A perusal of the complaint, FIR and the charge sheet will indicate that shawls and posters 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 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (for short 'the R.P.Act'), which reads as under: "127A. Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters, etc,--(1) No person shall print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher thereof. (2) No person shall print or cause to be printed any election pamphlet or poster-- (a) unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher thereof, signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known, is delivered by him to the printer in duplicate; and (b) unless, within a reasonable time after the printing of the document, one copy of the declaration is sent by the printer, together with one copy of the document,-- (i) where it is printed in the capital of the State, to the Chief Electoral Officer; and - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR (ii) in any other case, to the district magistrate of the district in which it is printed. (3) For the purposes of this section,-- (a) any process for multiplying copies of a document, other than copying it by hand, shall be deemed to be printing and the expression "printer" shall be construed accordingly; and (b) "election pamphlet or poster" means any printed pamphlet, hand-bill or other document distributed for the purpose of promoting or prejudicing the election of a candidate or group of candidates or any placard or poster having reference to an election, but does not include any handbill, placard or poster merely announcing the date, time, place and other particulars of an election meeting or routine instructions to election agents or workers. (4) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both." 7. A perusal of the material on record will also indicate that so long as the petitioner/accused No.2 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 127A of the R.P. Act. - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 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 the facts and circumstances of the case, I am of the considered opinion that continuation of the impugned proceedings would amount to 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.454/2023 arising out of Crime No.45/2023, which is pending on the file of the Additional Civil Judge and JMFC at Shidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District, insofar as the petitioner is concerned, is hereby quashed; (iii) Liberty is reserved in favour of the respondents to proceed against the remaining accused; (iv) It is made clear that quashment of the impugned proceedings is restricted only in favour of the petitioner - 10 - NC: 2025:KHC:22643 CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024 HC-KAR 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.: 14