SRI MANIKANTA P N vs THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025


CNR: KAHC010609162025




IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU


TH
DATED THIS THE 15 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ

CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13160 OF 2025

(482(Cr.PC) / 528(BNSS)-)

BETWEEN:

SRI MANIKANTA P N
SON OF NARAYANASWAMY
AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS
RESIDING AT
ST
NO. 208, 1 FLOOR C BLOCK,
CHOURASIA MANOR ,
ND ND
2 STAGE, 2 CROSS
KAVERAPPA LAYOUT, PANATHURU
BENGALURU - 560 087
…PETITIONER
(BY SRI. BHUVANENDRA RAJU P AND
SRI. P B RAJU., ADVOCATES)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
MARATHAHALLI POLICE STATION,
REPRESENTED BY GOVERNMENT ADVOCATE
HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA.
BENGALURU - 560 001.

2. MR. N. KUCHELA
S/O. LATE C.R. NARAYANAPPA.
AGED 64 YEARS, RESIDING AT
NO. 181/8, MARUTHI LAYOUT
ND
2 STAGE, NEAR KSRTC BUS STAND
MALURU, KOLAR-563130
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. RANJITH KUMAR N., HCGP FOR R1;
SRI. BHARATH S., ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. A.N RADHAKRISHNA., ADVOCATE FOR R2)











Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/S 482 CR.P.C (U/S 528
BNSS) PRAYING TO CALL FOR RECORDS IN S.C. NO. 1918/2022 PENDING
ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE LXXI ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND
SESSIONS, BENGALURU.
THIS CRIMINAL PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS
DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ

ORAL ORDER

1. The Petitioner is before this court seeking for the
following reliefs:

1. Call for records in S.C. No.1918/2022 pending on
the file of the Hon'ble LXXI Additional City Civil and
Sessions, Bengaluru.

2. Quash the Chargesheet filed by the 1st Respondent
in S.C. No. 1918/2022 pending on the file of the
Hon'ble LXXI Additional City Civil and Sessions,
Bengaluru (ANNEXURE - C) against the Petitioner
herein for offences punishable under Sections
498(A) and 307 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

3. Quash the entire proceedings in S.C. No.
1918/2022, pending on the file of the Hon'ble LXXI
Additional City Civil and Sessions, Bengaluru
(ANNEXURE- D) against the Petitioner herein for
offences punishable under Sections 498(A) and
307, of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

4. Such other relief/s as this Hon'ble court deems fit
to grant in facts and circumstances of the case.



2. Respondent No. 2, the father of Smt. K. Archana,
lodged a complaint on 31.08.2022 alleging that the
petitioner, who is the husband of Smt. K. Archana,
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



had subjected her to cruelty and harassment in
connection with demands arising out of their
matrimonial relationship. It was further alleged that,
on 31.08.2022, the petitioner had assaulted his wife.
On the basis of the said complaint, Marathahalli
Police Station registered Crime No. 203 of 2022
against the petitioner and others for the offences
punishable under Sections 307, 498-A, 504, 109 and
34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.


3. During the pendency of the proceedings, the
petitioner and Smt. K. Archana instituted a petition
under Section 13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955,
in M.C. No. 7010 of 2024, seeking dissolution of their
marriage by mutual consent. The matter was
referred to mediation, where the parties arrived at a
settlement, which was reduced to writing in a
Memorandum of Settlement dated 25.11.2024.
Pursuant to the said settlement, the parties have
filed a joint compromise petition before this Court
under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973, read with Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, seeking quashing of the
criminal proceedings.

Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025




4. The said Joint compromise petition reads as under;

JOINT COMPROMISE PETITION FILED ON
BEHALF OF PETITIONER AND THE VICTIM
UNDER SECTION 482 OF THE CODE OF
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE:

The Petitioner/Accused and Victim most humbly
submit as follows:
Upon the intervention and counselling by the well-
wishers, the Petitioner and the Victim herein have
entered into compromise on terms mentioned
hereunder:

1. The Petitioner and the 2nd Respondent state that
their marriage was solemnized on 02.05.2016 at
"Lakshmi Palace, Near Hope Farm Signal, Whitefield,
Bangalore," as per the Hindu rites and customs.

2. The Petitioner and the 2nd Respondent submit that,
they have resided as husband and wife till 31.08.2022
and subsequently have been living apart due to
differences between them.

3. The Victim submits that, the Respondent No. 2 who
is the Complainant is her father and due to his ill
health he has been admitted in the hospital and hence
he is unable to appear before this Hon'ble Court.

4. The Victim submits that, on 31.08.2022 at about
2:15 during a verbal dispute between the Petitioner
and the Victim, the victim sustained injuries and
thereafter, the victims father i.e. the 2nd
Respondent/Complainant herein lodged a complaint
with the Respondent No. 1 Police and the Respondent
No. 1 police registered an FIR in Crime No. 203/2022
for offences punishable under Section 307, 498A, 504,
109 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Subsequently,
the chargesheet has been filed and trial has
commenced in S.C. No. 1918/2022.

5. The Victim submits that, due to a misunderstanding
the Respondent No. 1 Police had registered the FIR
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



and thereafter the Chargesheet has been filed. The
victim submits that, the victims parents and the
relatives had even visited the Respondent No. 1 Police
Station and had informed the Respondent No. 1 Police
that the victim and the Petitioner were not interested
to lead the matrimonial life with each other and that
they would be obtaining divorce.

6. The Petitioner and the Victim submit that, they
have jointly filed a mutual consent petition for Divorce
in M.C. No.7010/2024 on the file of the Hon'ble
Principal Family Judge, Bengaluru. Thereafter the
Petitioner and the victim have entered into
Memorandum of Settlement dated 25.11.2024 and
based on the said Memorandum of Settlement their
marriage was dissolved vide Judgment and Decree
dated 25.11.2024.
7. The Victim submits that, the Victim has received
Property bearing Sy.No. 46/3 measuring 16 Guntas,
Property bearing Sy.No. 46/4 measuring 15 Guntas
and Property bearing Sy.No. 46/5 measuring 16
Guntas in all 1 Acre and 7 Guntas all the properties
are situated at Mutkuru Village, Hosakote Taluk and
another house property bearing No. 3/3A measuring
East to West: 40 Feet and North to South: 60 Feet
vide a registered Gift Deed dated 30.09.2022. Further
the Victim has also received an amount of Rs.
15,50,000/- vide three cheques bearing Nos. 175670,
175671 and 175680 drawn on State Bank of India,
Konathuru Branch, Bengaluru and all the 3 cheques
have been honoured in favour of the victim.

8. That in S.C. No. 1918/2022 pending on the file of
the Hon'ble LXXI Additional City Civil & Sessions
Judge, Bengaluru evidence has also been recorded and
the victim during her course of evidence has
categorically deposed and stated that no injuries as
stated in the complaint has been infected upon her by
the Petitioner. Indeed, all the witnesses have turned
hostile.

9. The Petitioner and the Victim have amicably
resolved all the differences between them and hence
the Victim now has no objection for this Criminal
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



Petition to be allowed and further the proceedings
against the Petitioner in S.C. No. 1918/2022 pending
on the file of the Hon'ble LXXI Additional City Civil &
Sessions Judge, Bengaluru arising out of Crime No.
203/2023 before the 1st Respondent i.e the
Marathahalli Police Station to be quashed.

10. The Petitioner and Victim states that there are no
claims either present, past or future against each
other.

11. The Petitioner and the Victim undertake that they
will ensure that themselves, their family members,
their relatives, their friends and all the persons acting
on their behalf will not interfere with the life of the
Petitioner and the Victim.

12. The Petitioner and the Victim herein undertake not
to contact the other party or their family members or
relatives, in any manner, for any purpose in the
future.

13. This compromise has been entered and filed by
the Petitioner and the Victim herein without any force,
fraud or undue influence of any person and on the own
will and volition of the parties and that there is no
collusion in presenting the petition.
Wherefore, the Petitioner and the Victim herein
humbly submit that this Petition be disposed off in the
terms and conditions agreed by the parties,
hereinabove and the Criminal Petition be allowed and
the proceedings against the Petitioner in S.C. No.
1918/2022 pending on the file of the Hon'ble LXXI
Additional City Civil & Sessions Judge, Bengaluru
arising out of Crime No. 203/2022 before the 1st
Respondent i.e the Marathahalli Police Station be
quashed; in the interest of justice.


5. It is submitted that respondent No. 2, the
complainant, is indisposed and unable to appear
before this Court. However, Smt. K. Archana, at
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



whose instance the complaint was lodged by
respondent No. 2, is personally present before this
Court and has been identified by her learned counsel.


6. Upon being enquired by this Court, Smt. K. Archana
submits that the settlement arrived at in M.C. No.
7010 of 2024 was voluntary and that no undue
influence, coercion or other form of compulsion was
exerted upon her. She affirms the contents of the
joint compromise petition and further submits that
the terms of settlement have been duly complied
with. In particular, gift deeds have been executed in
her favour and in favour of her daughter, and she
has received a sum of ₹15,50,000/- towards
permanent alimony. She acknowledges that an
assault took place on 31.08.2022 but submits that
the incident arose out of matrimonial discord and
that, in view of the settlement arrived at between the
parties, she does not wish to prosecute the petitioner
in respect of the said incident.


7. Smt. K. Archana further submits that, in view of the
amicable settlement of the matrimonial dispute and
the dissolution of the marriage in M.C. No. 7010 of
2024, she does not wish to pursue the criminal
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



proceedings in S.C. No. 1918 of 2022, out of which
the present petition arises.


8. Though the offences alleged against the petitioner
are serious in nature, this Court must have regard to
the fact that the criminal proceedings arise out of
matrimonial discord between the petitioner and Smt.
K. Archana, which has since been amicably resolved.
The parties have settled their disputes, the terms of
settlement have been acted upon, and the marriage
has been dissolved by mutual consent. Smt. K.
Archana has unequivocally affirmed the voluntary
nature of the settlement and expressed her
unwillingness to pursue the criminal proceedings
further.


9. In these circumstances, this Court is of the
considered opinion that continuation of the criminal
proceedings would serve no useful purpose and
would, instead, prolong the discord between the
parties despite the resolution of their matrimonial
disputes. Having regard to the nature and
circumstances of the dispute, the settlement arrived
at, and the subsequent conduct of the parties, this
Court is satisfied that permitting the criminal
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025



proceedings to continue would not advance the ends
of justice.


10. Accordingly, this is a fit case for exercise of the
inherent jurisdiction of this Court to secure the ends
of justice and prevent abuse of the process of law.
The inherent powers under Section 528 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, are
therefore required to be exercised to quash the
criminal proceedings, notwithstanding the nature of
the offences alleged, having regard to the peculiar
facts and circumstances of the case.


11. As such, this Court passes the following;

ORDER
allowed
i. Criminal petition is .

ii. The Chargesheet filed by Respondent No.1
in S.C. No.1918/2022 pending on the file of
the Hon'ble LXXI Additional City Civil and
Sessions, Bengaluru at Annexure-C against
the Petitioner herein is quashed.

Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru
Verified

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:58489
CRL.P No. 13160 of 2025

CNR: KAHC010609162025




iii. The entire proceedings in S.C.
No.1918/2022, pending on the file of the
Hon'ble LXXI Additional City Civil and
Sessions, Bengaluru at Annexure-D against
the Petitioner herein is quashed.
Digitally Signed By:
SURAJ GOVINDA RAJ
22/10/2026, 14:06, Bengaluru

Verified
(SURAJ GOVINDARAJ)
JUDGE



SR
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 77