Criminal Petition No. 7946 of 2024 · The High Court
Case Details
- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF MARCH, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7946 OF 2024 BETWEEN: 1. MSTR. SIDDESH S, S/O VIJAYALAKSHMI, AGED ABOUT 14 YEARS, R/AT PNT QUARTERS, CHOLAGUDDA CHITRADURGA, CHITRADURGA, CHALLAKERE, CHITRADURGA, KARNATAKA - 577 501. 2. MASTER AJAY S, S/O SHIVALINGAPPA, AGED ABOUT 13 YEARS, R/AT CHELU GUDDA BEHIND PNT QUARTERS, CHITRADURGA, KARNATAKA - 577 501. Digitally signed by NAGAVENI Location: High Court of Karnataka
Legal Reasoning
driven the petitioners to this Court in the subject petition. 4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would vehemently contend that the petitioners are not children in conflict even otherwise there is no allegation against these petitioners except they came and abused along with accused No.1. It is his submission that accused No.1 their mother has suffered certain disabilities due to half of the face completely burnt and turned black. Therefore, the student of the college, which is adjacent to the house of the petitioners used to repeatedly tease and abuse the mother. Therefore, it is the mother, who goes in to the college and threatened the student. Insofar as the present petitioners are concerned, the learned - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 counsel would submit that there is nothing that would pin these petitioners down. 5. Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the complainant - Educational Institution would seek to point at certain offences against these petitioners contending that they are being tried by the Juvenile Justice Board. Therefore, the further proceedings against them should not be interdicted. Hence, seeks dismissal of the petition. 6. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel appearing for the parties and have perused the available material on record. 7. The afore-narrated facts are what is narrated in the complaint. Since the entire issue has sprung from the complainant, I deem it appropriate to notice the complaint. It reads as follows: ""(cid:2)ಾನ(cid:5)(cid:6)ೇ, (cid:9)ಷಯ: ನಮ(cid:13) (cid:9)(cid:14)ಾ(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:16)ಗ(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ ಮ(cid:20)ೇಶ(cid:22)ರಮ(cid:13), (cid:9).(cid:24).ಬ(cid:26)ಾವ(cid:28)ೆ, (cid:29)ತ(cid:31)ದುಗ(cid:16) "ಾ# ಎನು%ವ ಮ&’ೆ (ರುಕುಳ +ೊಡು./ರುವ ಬ(cid:19)ೆ0. - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 ಈ 2ೕಲ4ಂಡ (cid:9)ಷಯ+ೆ4 ಸಂಭಂ8#ದಂ9ೆ, ತಮ(cid:13):; ಮನ(cid:9) (cid:2)ಾ<+ೊಳ=>ವ?(cid:14)ೇ@ೆಂದ(cid:6)ೆ ABC (cid:20)ೈEೆF +ಾGೇಜು ಹತು/ ವಷ(cid:16)ಗ(cid:18)ಂದ (cid:9).(cid:24) ಬ(cid:26)ಾವ(cid:28)ೆಯ:; <J(cid:31) +ಾGೇಜನು% ನ(cid:26)ೆಸು./ದು, ನಮ(cid:13) +ಾGೇKನ:; Lೆ(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ0 ಮತು/ ಸಂMೆ ಸಮಯದ:; ಹತ/@ೆ ತರಗ. NಾGೆಯ ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ ಟೂ(cid:5)ಷP (cid:2)ಾಡು./ದುQ 8. 13/06/2023 ಸಮಯ ಸಂMೆ 4:40 ಗಂEೆ ಸಮಯದ:; ಆST ರವರು ಹತ/@ೆ ತರಗ.ಯ NಾGಾ ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ Uಾಠವನು% (cid:2)ಾಡುವ ಸಮಯದ:; ಮ(cid:20)ೇಶ(cid:22)ರಮ(cid:13) ಮತು/ ಅವರು ಇಬYರು Zಮ(cid:13)ಕ4ಳ= (cid:9).(cid:24). ಬ(cid:26)ಾವ(cid:28)ೆ "ಾ# ಇವರು ನಮ(cid:13) +ಾGೇKನ ಒಳಗ(cid:26)ೆ ಬಂದು ಹತ/@ೆ ತರಗ.ಯ ಹುಡುಗರು Uಾಠ+ಾ4J ಬಂ8ದುQ 1@ೇ +ೊಠ<ಯ:; ಮಕ4ಳ= ಓದು+ೊಂಡು ಕು(cid:18).(cid:14)ಾQಗ, ಏ+ಾ-ಏ( ಮ(cid:20)ೇಶ(cid:22)ರಮ(cid:13) ಮತು/ Zಮ(cid:13)ಕ4ಳ= 1@ೇ +ೊಠ<ಯ ಒಳಗ(cid:26)ೆ (cid:20)ೋJ +ೊಠ<ಯ:; ಕು(cid:18).ದQ ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ (cid:9)@ಾ: +ಾರಣ ಅವ(cid:5)ಚ‘ ಶಬQಗ(cid:18)ಂದ [ಸೂ’ೆ ಮಕ4ಳ, aೋ(cid:18) ಮಕ4ಳ, ಕ9ೆ/ +ೆb(cid:5)ೕರ, ಇ9ಾ(cid:5)8...] cಂ8ಸು9ಾ/ ಚಪe:ಯನು% 9ೆ(cid:19)ೆದು+ೊಂಡು ಮಧು ಪEೇh ಎನು%ವ (cid:9)(cid:14)ಾ(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:16)(cid:19)ೆ (cid:20)ೊ(cid:26)ೆ8ರು9ಾ/’ೆ (cid:20)ಾಗೂ ಮ(cid:29)‘cಂದ +ೈ-+ಾಲು ಕತ/Sಸು9ೆ/ೕ@ೆಂದು ಎGಾ; ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ LೆದS#ರು9ಾ/’ೆ. ಆಗ NಾGೆಯ:;ದQ ಮಕ4ಳ= Mೋ(cid:6)ಾJ ಕೂ(cid:19)ಾ<(cid:14)ಾಗ ಕೂಡGೇ @ಾನು (ರ(cid:9)ೕಂದ(cid:31)) +ೊಠ<ಯ ಒಳಗ(cid:26)ೆ @ೋಡGಾJ ಮ(cid:20)ೇಶ(cid:22)ರಮ(cid:13) ಮತು/ ಅವರ Zಮ(cid:13)ಕ4ಳ=, ನಮ(cid:13) (cid:9)(cid:14)ಾ(cid:5)(cid:15)(cid:16)ಗ(cid:18)ಗೂ ಮತು/ A<ಸಲು (cid:20)ೋದ ನನಗೂ ಸಹ ಅವ(cid:5)ಚi ಶಬQಗ(cid:18)ಂದ [ಸೂ’ೆ ಮಕ4ಳ, aೋ(cid:18) ಮಕ4ಳ ಇ9ಾ(cid:5)8...] cಂ8ಸು9ಾ/ Lೈ(cid:14)ಾ< ನನಗೂ ಮತು/ ನನ% ಸಹUಾkಗ(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ ಕತ(cid:16)ವ(cid:5)+ೆ4 ಅಡlಪ<# Uಾ(cid:31)ಣ LೆದS+ೆ (cid:20)ಾ(ರು9ಾ/’ೆ. ಈ ಘಟ@ೆnಂದ ಟೂ(cid:5)ಷ@ೆ0 ಬಂ8ದQ ಸು(cid:2)ಾರು ೨೦ ಜನ ಮಕ4ಳ= ತುಂಬ (cid:19)ಾaಾSqಾJರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ. ನಮ(cid:13) Mೊ9ೆ ನಮ(cid:13) ಸಹUಾkಗಳ= (ವr(cid:16)ತ, #S ಹುಲು;ಮc ಮತು/ (cid:9)ಶ(cid:22)@ಾs) ಜಗಳವನು% A<#ರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ. ಅವರ ಮಗಳ= ಸಹ +ಾGೇKನ +ಾUೌಂ<ನ:; ಜಗಳ (cid:2)ಾಡು./ದುQ ಅವರು ಸಹ ನಮ(cid:13) NಾGಾ ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ ಅವ(cid:5)ಚi ಶಬQಗ(cid:18)ಂದ cಂ8ಸು9ಾ/ ಜಗಳವನು% (cid:2)ಾ<ರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ. ಇವರುಗಳ= ಪ(cid:14)ೆ-ಪ(cid:14)ೆ ನಮ(cid:13) +ಾGೇKನ ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ (cid:20)ಾಗೂ ಸುತ/- ಮುತ/:ನ @ಾಗSಕS(cid:19)ೆ ಇವSಂದ ತುಂLಾ 9ೊಂದ(cid:6)ೆqಾಗು./(cid:14)ೆ ಅಲ;(cid:14)ೆ ಪ(cid:31). 8ನ @ಾಗSಕರು ಭಯದ ವ9ಾವರಣದ:; ಮಕ4ಳ= (cid:20)ಾಗೂ ಸುತ/-ಮುತ/:ನ ಬದುಕLೇ+ಾJ(cid:14)ೆ. ಆದ +ಾರಣ ಮ(cid:20)ೇಶ(cid:22)ರಮ(cid:13), ಮಗಳ= ಮತು/ Zಮ(cid:13)ಕ4ಳ (cid:9)ರುದu +ಾನೂನು ಕ(cid:31)ಮ ಜರುJಸLೇ+ೆಂದು ತಮ(cid:13) ಮನ(cid:9) (cid:2)ಾ<+ೊಳ=>9ೆ/"ೆ. #.#. +ಾ(cid:5)(cid:2)ಾರದ:; ಈ ಘಟ@ೆಯ (cid:29).(cid:31)ೕಕರಣವನು% vೆ(cid:6)ೆ&<ದ ಪ(cid:31).ಯನು% ಇದ(cid:6)ೊಂ8(cid:19)ೆ ಲಗ./ಸGಾJ(cid:14)ೆ. ಈ ಘಟ@ೆಯ #.#. +ಾ(cid:5)(cid:2)ಾರದ:;ನ ದೃಶ(cid:5)ವನು% 9ೆ(cid:19)ೆದು+ೊಳ>ಲು ಒಂದು 8ನ ದೂರುcೕಡಲು (cid:9)ಳಂಬ"ಾ&ತ." - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 A perusal at the complaint nowhere indicates any overt act performed by these petitioners or the petitioners indulging in criminal trespass. Much reliance is placed upon the learned counsel for the complainant to certain statement recorded during the investigation and the transcript of the CCTV footage. The transcript of the CCTV footage would clinch the issue. Therefore, the transcript insofar as it concerns the present petitioners is germane to be quoted. It reads as follows: "ಕxy(cid:19)ೆಯನು% 9ೆ(cid:19)ೆದು+ೊಂಡು ಬಂದು +ೊಠ<ಯ:;ದQ ಮಗು(cid:9)(cid:19)ೆ (cid:20)ೊ(cid:26)ೆಯಲು (cid:20)ೋಗು9ಾ/@ೆ ಆ ಮ&’ೆ ಆ +ೋಲನು% 9ೆ(cid:19)ೆದು+ೊಂಡು NಾGೆಯ:;ದQ ಮಕ4(cid:18)(cid:19)ೆ (cid:20)ೊ(cid:26)ೆಯಲು (cid:20)ೋಗು9ಾ/’ೆ ಮಕ4ಳ= ತ(cid:24)e#+ೊಂಡು (cid:26)ೆz4 ಗಳ &ಂaಾಗ+ೆ4 ಓ< (cid:20)ೋಗು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ. Zದಲು ಬಂದ ಹುಡುಗ NಾGೆಯ ಮಕ4ಳ Lಾ(cid:5)| ಅನು% 9ೆ(cid:19)ೆದು+ೊಂಡು +ೊಠ<ಯ (cid:20)ೊರಗ(cid:26)ೆ (cid:20)ೋJದುQ ಆ ಹುಡುಗನ Mೊ9ೆ(cid:19)ೆ ಇ@ೊ%ಬY ಹುಡುಗ ಮತು/, ಆ ಮ&’ೆ ಇಬYರು (cid:20)ೊರಗ(cid:26)ೆ (cid:20)ೋದರು (cid:20)ೊರಗ(cid:26)ೆnಂದ ಪ(cid:31)ಕರಣದ (cid:24)qಾ(cid:16)8ಯವ(cid:6)ಾದ ರ(cid:9)ೕಂದ(cid:31).+ೆ.A ರವರು "3) ಮೂರ@ೇ (cid:9)<bೕ @ೋಡGಾJ Maheshwaramma-Entry- Video.mp4 ಎಂ9ಾ ಇದುQ ಓಪP (cid:2)ಾ< @ೋಡGಾJ Camera 01 ಎಂ9ಾ ಇದುQ ಸದS (cid:9)<bೕದ:; 8@ಾಂಕ:13.06.2023 ಎಂ9ಾ ಇದುQ 16:39:48 @ೇ ಸಮಯ8ಂದ Uಾ(cid:31)ರಂಭ"ಾJದುQ ಸದS (cid:9)<bೕವ? (cid:20)ೊರaಾಗದ (cid:9)<bೕ"ಾJದುQ ಎರಡು ಪಕ4ದ:;, A:lಂ| ಗ(cid:18)ದುQ ಮದ(cid:5)ದ:;, 07 ಅ< ಅಗಲದ +ಾS(cid:26)ಾ~ ಇರುತ/(cid:14)ೆ @ೆಲ+ೆ4 ಸುಟ4h (cid:20)ಾ#ರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ. ಅಕ4-ಪಕ4ದ:; ಸು(cid:2)ಾರು Lೈ#ಕh ಗಳನು% c:;#ರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ ಮುಂaಾಗದ:; ಎರಡು (cid:19)ೇB ಇರುತ/"ೆ 05 ಜನ ಮಕ4ಳ= Lೈ#ಕh ನ:; ಬಂದು ತಮ(cid:13) ತಮ(cid:13) Lೈ#ಕh ಗಳನು% +ಾಂUೌಂ(cid:127) ಪಕ4ದ:; c:;# ಬರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ ಅವರ &ಂ(cid:14)ೆ 16:39:52 @ೇ ಸಮಯ+ೆ4 ಒಬY ಮ&’ೆಯು ಅವರ &ಂ(cid:14)ೆ ಬಂ8ದುQ ಸದS ಮ&’ೆಯು +ಾ(cid:128), A(cid:18) ಮತು/ ಕಪ?e (cid:129)(cid:130)(cid:31)ತ #ೕ(cid:6)ೆಯನು%, J(cid:18) ಹ#ರು ಬಣ(cid:131)ದ Mಾ+ೇB ಅನು%, ತGೆ(cid:19)ೆ A(cid:18) ಬಣ(cid:131)ದ ಟವh ಅನು% ಅಧ(cid:16) ಮುಖ+ೆ4 ಕವ~ ಆಗುವಂ9ೆ - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 ಕxy+ೊಂ<ರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ ಅವರ &ಂ(cid:14)ೆ ಒಬY ಹುಡುಗ ಬಂ8ದುQ ಆ ಹುಡುಗನು ಆ+ಾಶ cೕ: ಬಣ(cid:131)ದ ಶB(cid:16) ಮತು/ ಕಪ?e cೕ: ಬಣ(cid:131)ದ Uಾ(cid:5)ಂB ಧS#ರು9ಾ/@ೆ ಆ ಹುಡುಗನು ತನ% ಬಲ(cid:19)ಾ:ನ ಚಪe:ಯನು% +ೈನ:; 9ೆ(cid:19)ೆದು+ೊಂಡು ಬರು9ಾ/@ೆ ಮುಂ(cid:14)ೆ ಬಂದು ಆ ಚಪe:ಯನು% +ೆಳಗ(cid:26)ೆ Aಟುy +ಾ:ನ:; ಧS#+ೊಂಡು ಒಳಗ(cid:26)ೆ ಬರು9ಾ/@ೆ. ಎಲ;ರೂ 16:40:08 +ೆ4 ಒಳಗ(cid:26)ೆ ಬರು9ಾ/(cid:6)ೆ ಈ (cid:9)<bೕವ? 16:41:08 +ೆ4 +ೊ@ೆ(cid:19)ೊಳ=>ತ/(cid:14)ೆ." The afore-quoted transcript is what is against these petitioners. There is no overt act performed by these petitioners for them to be hauled into these proceedings. Finding no allegation in the transcript of the CCTV itself, permitting further investigation or trial by the Juvenile Justice Board against these petitioners would become an abuse of the process of law. 8. The learned counsel has submitted that the petitioners are not children in conflict, they are erroneously described so. The said submission need not be gone into in the light of the fact that the petition is to be allowed on the ground that there are no allegations against these petitioners. 9. For the aforesaid reasons, the following
Arguments
REPRESENTED BY THEIR MOTHER, SMT. VIJAYA LAKSHMI M, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, R/AT PNT QUARTERS, HENBAGA, CHOLGUDDA, CHITRADURGA, CHALLAKERE, CHITRADURGA, KARNATAKA - 577 501. (BY SRI. K.S. RAKSHITH, ADVOCATE) …PETITIONERS - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY CHITRADURGA TOWN P.S., REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 066. 2. SRI. RAVINDRA K.B, S/O BASAPPA, AGED ABOUT 47 YEARS, AT FOUNDERS BITS EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY, V.P. BADAVANE, CHITRADURGA TOWN, CHITRADURGA - 577 501. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.N. JAGADEESH, ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI. R. SHASHIDHAR, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.PC PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS FIR COMPLAINT BEARING CR.NO.121 OF 2023 OF CHITRADURGA TOWN P.S., AT ANNEXURE-A AND COMPLAINT AT ANNEXURE-B, CHARGE SHEET AT ANNEXURE-D AND ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN J.C.NO.42 OF 2023 ON THE FILE OF JUVENILE COURT, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT AT CHITRADURGA FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 447, 448, 504, 323, 355, 506 R/W 34 OF IPC, 1860 AND SEC. 75 OF J.J. (CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT, 2015) VIDE ORDER SHEET AT ANNEXURE-C WHEREIN THE PETITIONERS HEREIN. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR FURTHER HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioners, alleged children in conflict are at the doors of this Court calling in question the registration of the crime against these petitioners along with others for the offences punishable under Sections 323, 448, 447, 355, 504, 34 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('the IPC' for short) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. 2. Heard Shri K.S. Rakshith, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner; Shri B.N. Jagadeesha, learned Additional Special Public Prosecutor appearing for respondent No.1 and Shri R. Shashidhar, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2. 3. Facts in brief germane are as follows: The second respondent is the complainant said to be owning a educational institution in the name and style of BITS Educational Society. The petitioners as on the date of the alleged incident are aged 12years 9months and 11years 01month, respectively. The allegation is that accused No.1 - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 along with these petitioners entered the college premises run by the second respondent and disrupted the class room and accused No.1 had allegedly hit aged student with slippers and had further abused the said student and threatened him and had left the college premises. Accused No.1 is the mother of the petitioners and since the petitioners were at relevant point in time aged as aforesaid they were being tried by Juvenile Justice Board on the score that they were children in conflict. Registration of the crime in crime No.121/2023 is what has
Decision
ORDER (i) Criminal petition is allowed. - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC:9263 CRL.P No. 7946 of 2024 (ii) FIR registered in crime No.121/2023 of Chitradurga Town Police Station for the offence punishable under Sections 323, 448, 447, 355, 504, 34 and 506 of the IPC and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 stands quashed. Sd/- ______________________ JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA JY List No.: 1 Sl No.: 197 CT: BHK