Criminal Petition No. 12 of 2025 · Karnataka High Court · 2026

Digitally signed by SANJEEVINI J KARISHETTY Location: High Court of Karnataka

2. MR. H.M.RAVIKUMAR S/O LATE H.D.MALLAPA AGED ABOUT 63 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

3. MRS. SWAROOPARANI W/O H.M.RAVIKUMAR AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453. - 2 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR

4. MRS. JYOTHSNA R.HEBSE W/O VARUN A. S., AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS RESIDING AT NO.3678/20 “SHIVADUSHEELA” 15TH MAIN 8TH CROSS, EXTENDED MCC 'B' BLOCK KUVEMPU NAGAR, NEAR OLD RTO OFFICE DAVANAGERE – 577 004.

5. MR. SHIVAKUMAR HEBSE S/O LATE H.D.MALLAPPA AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

6. TANUJA W/O SHIVAKUMAR HEBSE AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453. (BY MISS. MONICA PATIL, ADVOCATE) AND:

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY AMRUTHAHALLI P.S REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU – 560 091. …PETITIONERS - 3 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR

2. SMT. RASHMI PRABHULINGAPPA W/O VIDHWATH R.HEBSE AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS RESIDING AT NO.66, 2ND MAIN ROAD, HEBBAL, KEMPAPURA CHIRANJIVI LAYOUT BENGALURU CITY KARNATAKA – 560 024. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI VINAY MAHADEVAIAH, HCGP FOR R1; MISS RUPA B.DEVARAJU, ADVOCATE FOR SRI SHARATH S.GOGI, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.528 BNSS PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR BEARING CRIME NO.276/2024 (ANNEXURE A) DATED 21.09.2024 ON THE FILES OF 41sT ACJM, BENGALURU REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 POLICE FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S/ 498-A OF IPC AND SEC.3,4 OF DP ACT 1961 CONSEQUENTLY QUASH THE COMPLIANT DATED 21.09.2024 (ANNEXURE B) FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.2 BEFORE THE RESPONDENT NO.1 POLICE. IN WP NO. 17690/2025 BETWEEN:

1. MR. VIDWATH R.HEBSE S/O H.M.RAVIKUMAR AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS RESIDING AT HUNALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

2. MR. H.M.RAVIKUMAR S/O LATE H.D.MALLAPA AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE - 4 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

3. MRS. SWAROOPARANI W/O H.M.RAVIKUMAR AGED ABOUT 55 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

4. MRS. JYOTHSNA R.HEBSE W/O VARUN A. S., AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS RESIDING AT NO.3678/20 “SHIVADUSHEELA” 15TH MAIN 8TH CROSS, EXTENDED MCC 'B' BLOCK KUVEMPU NAGAR, NEAR OLD RTO OFFICE DAVANAGERE – 577 004.

5. MR. SHIVAKUMAR H. M., S/O LATE H.D.MALLAPPA AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

6. TANUJA W/O SHIVAKUMAR H. M., AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS RESIDING AT HANALUMADIKE AVINAHALLI PO, SAGAR TALUK SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 453.

7. SRI G.N.SUDHIR S/O NANJUNDAPPA - 5 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS GN COMPLEX, PARK EXTENTION ROAD DURGIGUDI, SHIVAMOGGA KARNATAKA - 577 201. ...PETITIONERS (BY MISS MONICA PATIL, ADVOCATE) AND: SMT RASHMI PRABHULINGAPPA W/O VIDHWATH R.HEBSE AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS RESIDING AT NO.66, 2ND MAIN ROAD HEBBAL, KEMPAPURA, CHIRANJEEVI LAYOUT HEBBAL, KEMPAPURA, H.A.FARM BENGALURU - 560 024. ...RESPONDENT (BY MISS RUPA B.DEVARAJU, ADVOCATE FOR SRI SHARATH S.GOGI, ADVOCATE) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 528 OF THE BNSS PRAYING TO CALL FOR THE RECORDS IN CRL.MISC.NO. 05/2025 PENDING ON THE FILES OF THE VI METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE TRAFFIC COURT, AT BENGALURU; QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED BY THE RESPONDENT AS AGAINST THE PETITIONERS IN CRL.MISC.05/2025 PENDING ON THE FILES OF THE HON’BLE VI METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE TRAFFIC COURT AT BENGALURU UNDER SECTION 12 READ WITH SECTION 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 AND 23 OF THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 6 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioners – husband and the family of the husband are before this Court in these petitions call in question registration of a crime in Crime No.276/2024, pending before the 41st Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru, for the offences punishable under Section 498A of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and the proceedings initiated by the wife in Crl.Misc.No.5/2025, pending on the file of the VI Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court, Bengaluru, for the offences under Sections 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 and 23 of the Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The parties in both the petitions are same.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioners and respondent No.2 in unison submit that during the pendency of these proceedings before this Court, the parties to the lis have settled their dispute amicably by drawing up certain terms and conditions. The parties have filed applications under Sections 528 and 359 of the BNSS, 2023 and joint affidavits of the parties in both the petitions, before this Court reporting such - 7 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR settlement. Learned counsel for petitioners hands over a demand draft of Rs.64/- lakhs, to the complainant – wife, to which, respondent No.2 – complainant acknowledges the same.

3. The joint affidavit filed in Crl.P.No.12/2025 reads as follows: “3. We state that, the matrimonial case in M.C. No. 3780/2024 pending between the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 was referred for Mediation and after numerous sessions the parties have settled all the differences and disputes between them and have entered into a Memorandum of Settlement on December 17, 2025. As per terms of Settlement, the Petitioner has undertaken to remit an amount of Rs. 64,00,000/- (Rupees Sixty Four Lakhs only) towards full and final settlement of all claims, maintenance to the Respondent No.2 and the Respondent No.2 has in turn undertaken to cooperate captioned proceedings. quashing

4. Thus, in due adherence to the terms of settlement, the Petitioner is handing over on this day a DD for the sum of Rs. 64,00,000/-(Rupees Sixty Four Lakhs only) vide Demand Draft bearing No. 698380 dated January 17, 2026 drawn at IDFC First Bank, Magadi Road Branch, Vijayanagar, Bangalore 560040. hereby Respondent acknowledges receipt of the DD before this Hon'ble Court. No.2 The

5. We state that the parties have duly settled the dispute and both parties undertake to cooperate in disposal of the matrimonial proceedings and undertake to co-operate and appear before the IV Additional Family Court, Bangalore in M.C. No. 3780/2024 to obtain a decree of divorce in terms of the Memorandum to withdraw Respondent No.2 of Settlement undertakes - 8 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR proceedings in Crl. Mis. 404/2025 before the IV Additional Family Court, Bangalore.

6. We thus state that the captioned proceedings may be allowed and the proceedings in Crime No. 0276/2024 against the Petitioners for the offences punishable under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 may be quashed.

7. We state that this joint affidavit is filed consciously and voluntarily by us, after fully understanding its contents and consequences, and the same is executed without any undue influence, coercion, threat, pressure, or misrepresentation by any person whatsoever. WHEREFORE, this Hon'ble Court be please to allow the accompanying application, and proceedings in Crime No. 276/2024 pending on the files of the Court of the 41st Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, at Bangalore for the offences punishable under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (the "IPC") and under sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, in the interest of justice. thereby quash The joint affidavit filed in W.P.No.17690/2025 reads as follows: “3. We state that, during the pendency of Crl. Misc. in M.C. No. 05/2025, the matrimonial case 3780/2024 pending between the Petitioner and Respondent No. 2 was referred for Mediation and after numerous sessions the parties have settled all the differences and disputes between them and have entered into a Memorandum of Settlement on December 17, 2025. As per terms of Settlement, the Petitioner has undertaken to remit an amount of Rs. 64,00,000/-(Rupees Sixty Four Lakhs only) towards full and final settlement of all claims, maintenance to the Respondent No.2 and the Respondent No.2 has in turn undertaken to HC-KAR

4. - 9 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 cooperate proceedings. quashing captioned Thus, in due adherence to the terms of settlement, the Petitioner is handing over on this day a DD for the sum of Rs. 64,00,000/-(Rupees Sixty Four Lakhs only) vide Demand Draft bearing No. 698380 dated January 17, 2026 drawn at IDFC First Bank, Magadi Road Branch, Vijayanagar, Bangalore 560040. hereby Respondent acknowledges receipt of the DD before this Hon'ble Court. No.2 The

5. We state that the parties have duly settled the dispute and both parties undertake to cooperate in disposal of the matrimonial proceedings and undertake to co-operate and appear before the IV Additional Family Court, Bangalore in M.C. No. 3780/2024 to obtain a decree of divorce in terms of the Memorandum Respondent No.2 to withdraw proceedings in Crl. Mis. 404/2025 before the IV Additional maintenance. of Settlement undertakes Bangalore Family Court,

6. We thus state that the captioned proceedings may be allowed and the proceedings in Crl. Misc. 05/2025 pending on the files of the Hon'ble VI Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court at Bengaluru may be quashed.

7. We state that this joint affidavit is filed consciously and voluntarily by us, after fully understanding its contents and consequences, and the same is executed without any undue influence, coercion, threat, pressure, or misrepresentation by any person whatsoever. WHEREFORE, this Hon'ble Court be please to allow the accompanying application, and proceedings in Crl. Misc. 05/2025 pending on the files of the Hon'ble VI Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court at Bengaluru (hereinafter the "Impugned Proceedings") filed under Section 12 read with Section 17, 18, 19, 20, thereby quash - 10 - NC: 2026:KHC:5192 CRL.P No. 12 of 2025 C/W WP No. 17690 of 2025 HC-KAR 22 and 23 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence 2005, in the interest of justice.” In the light of the fact that the parties have arrived at settlement and since it is a marital dispute, I deem it appropriate to accept the application and the joint affidavits of the parties in both the petitions and terminate the proceedings against the petitioners, as the allegations are not against the State.

4. For the aforesaid reasons, I pass the following: ORDER (i) The criminal petition and writ petition are disposed. (ii) The impugned Crime in Crime No.276/2024, pending before the 41st Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru, in Crl.P.No.12/2025 and proceedings in Crl.Misc.No.5/2025, pending before the VI Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court, Bengaluru, impugned in W.P.No.17690/2025, stand quashed. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE NVJ List No.: 1 Sl No.: 29/CT:SS