SANDALWOOD MALL MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD., vs THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57151
WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024




IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

TH
DATED THIS THE 12 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026


BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA

WRIT PETITION NO. 10225 OF 2024 (GM-RES)

C/W

WRIT PETITION NO. 10127 OF 2024 (GM-RES)

WRIT PETITION NO. 10234 OF 2024 (GM-RES)

WRIT PETITION NO. 10384 OF 2024 (GM-RES)



IN WP No. 10225/2024

BETWEEN:

1. SANDALWOOD MALL
MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD.,
A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER
THE PROVISIONS OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956,
HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE
SITUATED AT 1110 ASHOKA ESTATE,
CENTRAL DELHI,
NEW DELHI - 110 001,
AND ONE OF ITS BRANCH OFFICE AT
LEVEL 14, PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORISED
REPRESENTATIVE MR. JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ.

2. MR. SANDEEP HARISH SETHI,
S/O. MR. HARISH SETHI,





Digitally

signed by R
MANJUNATHA
Location:
HIGH COURT
OF
KARNATAKA

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WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024


AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS,
RESIDING AT DLF CYBER PARK,
TOWER B, LEVEL 12,
UDYOG VIHAR, PHASE 2,
GURGAON - 122 008.
REPRESENTED BY HIS
POA HOLDER
MR.JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ.

3. MR. VIJAYENDRA VEERADHI BABJI,
S/O. MR. VISWESWARAIAH VEERADHI,
AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

4. MR. BIJU JOSEPH,
S/O. MR. JOSEPH,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. S.V.GIRIDHAR, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. AKSHAYA B.M., ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY,
AT ROOM NO.320,
3RD FLOOR,

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WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


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VIDHANA SOUDHA,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

2. SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR,
41ST CIRCLE, 1ST FLOOR,
KARMIKA BHAVAN,
NEAR DAIRY CIRCLE,
BANNERGHATTA ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 029.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R1 AND R2)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C.
PRAYING TO A) QUASH THE COMPLAINT IN CC NO.10971 OF
2023 VIDE ANNEXURE-A PENDING BEFORE THE
METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE TRAFFIC COURT-IV, BENGALURU
ALONG WITH ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS AND ETC.,
IN WP NO. 10127/2024
1. SANDALWOOD MALL
MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD.,
A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER
THE PROVISIONS OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956,
HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE
SITUATED AT 1110 ASHOKA ESTATE,
CENTRAL DELHI,
NEW DELHI - 110 001,
AND ONE OF ITS BRANCH OFFICE AT
LEVEL 14, PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

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C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


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REPRESENTED BY ITS AUTHORISED
REPRESENTATIVE MR. JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ,
COMPLIANCE OFFICER.

2. MR. SANDEEP HARISH SETHI,
S/O. MR. HARISH SETHI,
AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS,
RESIDING AT DLF CYBER PARK,
TOWER B, LEVEL 12,
UDYOG VIHAR, PHASE 2,
GURGAON - 122 008.
REPRESENTED BY HIS
POA HOLDER
MR.JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ.

3. MR. VIJAYENDRA VEERADHI BABJI,
S/O. MR. VISWESWARAIAH VEERADHI,
AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

4. MR. BIJU JOSEPH,
S/O. MR. JOSEPH,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. S.V.GIRIDHAR, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. AKSHAYA B.M., ADVOCATE)

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WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


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AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY,
AT ROOM NO.320,
3RD FLOOR,
VIDHANA SOUDHA,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

2. SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR,
41ST CIRCLE, 1ST FLOOR,
KARMIKA BHAVAN,
NEAR DAIRY CIRCLE,
BANNERGHATTA ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 029.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R1 AND R2)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C.
PRAYING TO QUASH THE COMPLAINT DATED 02.12.2023 IN CC
NO.10969 OF 2023 VIDE ANNEXURE - A PENDING BEFORE THE
METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE TRAFFIC COURT-IV, BENGALURU
AND ETC.,

IN WP NO. 10234/2024
1. SANDALWOOD MALL
MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD.,
A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER
THE PROVISIONS OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956,
HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE
SITUATED AT 1110 ASHOKA ESTATE,

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WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024


CENTRAL DELHI,
NEW DELHI - 110 001,

AND ONE OF ITS BRANCH OFFICE AT
LEVEL 14, PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

REPRESENTED BY
MR. JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ.

2. MR. SANDEEP HARISH SETHI,
S/O. MR. HARISH SETHI,
AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS,
RESIDING AT DLF CYBER PARK,
TOWER B, LEVEL 12,
UDYOG VIHAR, PHASE 2,
GURGAON - 122 008.
REPRESENTED BY
MR.JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ.

3.
MR. VIJAYENDRA VEERADHI BABJI,
S/O. MR. VISWESWARAIAH VEERADHI,
AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

4.
MR. BIJU JOSEPH,
S/O. MR. JOSEPH,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57151
WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024


NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. S.V.GIRIDHAR, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. AKSHAYA B.M., ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY,
AT ROOM NO.320, 3RD FLOOR,
VIDHANA SOUDHA,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

2. SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR,
41ST CIRCLE, 1ST FLOOR,
KARMIKA BHAVAN,
NEAR DAIRY CIRCLE,
BANNERGHATTA ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 029.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R1 AND R2)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C.
PRAYING TO QUASH THE COMPLAINT IN CC NO.10968 OF 2023
VIDE ANNEXURE - A PENDING BEFORE THE METROPOLITAN
MAGISTRATE TRAFFIC COURT-IV, BENGALURU ALONG WITH
ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS AND ETC.,

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57151
WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024


IN WP NO. 10384/2024
1. SANDALWOOD MALL
MANAGEMENT PVT. LTD.,
A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER
THE PROVISIONS OF COMPANIES ACT, 1956,
HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE
SITUATED AT 1110 ASHOKA ESTATE,
CENTRAL DELHI,
NEW DELHI - 110 001,
AND ONE OF ITS BRANCH OFFICE AT
LEVEL 14, PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

REPRESENTED BY MR. JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ.

2. MR. SANDEEP HARISH SETHI,
S/O. MR. HARISH SETHI,
AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS,
RESIDING AT DLF CYBER PARK,
TOWER B, LEVEL 12,
UDYOG VIHAR, PHASE 2,
GURGAON - 122 008.
REPRESENTED BY
MR.JOSEPH EMMANUEL RAJ (POA HOLDER).

3. MR. VIJAYENDRA VEERADHI BABJI,
S/O. MR. VISWESWARAIAH VEERADHI,
AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57151
WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024


4. MR. BIJU JOSEPH,
S/O. MR. JOSEPH,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,
RESIDING AT LEVEL 14,
PRESTIGE KHODAY TOWERS,
NO.5, RAJ BHAVAN ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 001.
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. S.V.GIRIDHAR, ADVOCATE FOR
SRI. AKSHAYA B.M., ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA,
REPRESENTED BY CHIEF SECRETARY,
AT ROOM NO.320,
3RD FLOOR,
VIDHANA SOUDHA,
BENGALURU - 560 001.

2. SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTOR,
41ST CIRCLE, 1ST FLOOR,
KARMIKA BHAVAN,
NEAR DAIRY CIRCLE,
BANNERGHATTA ROAD,
BENGALURU - 560 029.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R1 AND R2)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C.
PRAYING TO QUASH THE COMPLAINT IN CC NO.10970 OF 2023
VIDE ANNEXURE - A PENDING BEFORE THE METROPOLITAN

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57151
WP No. 10225 of 2024
C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


CNR: KAHC010196912024


MAGISTRATE TRAFFIC COURT-IV, BENGALURU ALONG WITH
ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS AND ETC.,
THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE
THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA

ORAL ORDER
Heard Sri Giridhar, learned counsel on behalf of Sri
Akshaya B.M., appearing for the petitioners and Smt. Waheeda
M.M., learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for
respondents No.1 and 2.
2. In all these matters, second respondent, Senior
Labour Inspector said to have visited Sandalwood Mall
Management Pvt. Ltd., Level 3, Concorde Block, No.24, UB
City, Vittalmallya Road, Bangaluru and noted that the
mandatory requirements of keeping the registers with regard to
Minimum Wages Act etc., are not maintained and issued a show
cause notice.

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WP No. 10234 of 2024
AND 1 OTHER


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3. A detailed reply is sent to the show cause notice
vide Annexure-N, where under it has been specific mention that
Sandalwood Mall Management Private Limited is not operating
in the address in the place where the inspection has taken
place and in that place, another unit of Sandalwood Mall
Management Private Limited namely M/s Jones Lang Lasalle
Property Consultants India Private Limited ( for short "JLL") is
operating which is a subsidiary unit, one of the group
companies of M/s. Sandalwood Mall Management Private
Limited.
4. It is submitted that, despite, such reply being
furnished in writing within the prescribed time, prosecution is
launched against the petitioners for the violations.
5. Therefore, petitioners are before this Court
challenging the very initiation of the criminal proceedings as
there were no employees of M/s. Sandalwood Mall Management
Private Limited operating from the place of inspection and
registered office is situated at Brigade Towers, Raj Bhavan
Road, Bengaluru, wherein, the relevant registers are
maintained.

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6. Smt.Waheeda M.M., learned High Court
Government Pleader could not dispute the issuance of the reply
to show cause notice vide annexure-A and there is no other
material on record which would result in further prosecution of
the petitioners for the alleged violations.
7. Thus, continuation of the criminal cases against the
petitioners herein which are subject matter of these petitions
would result in abuse of process of law.
8. Hence, the following:
ORDER
i) The petitions are allowed.
ii) Impugned proceedings in C.C.No.10971/2023
pending on the file of learned Metropolitan Magistrate
Traffic Court-IV, Bengaluru, insofar it relates to the
petitioners in W.P.No.10225/2024 is hereby quashed.
iii) Impugned proceedings in C.C.No.10969/2023
pending on the file of learned Metropolitan Magistrate

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C/W WP No. 10127 of 2024
WP No. 10234 of 2024
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Traffic Court-IV, Bengaluru, insofar it relates to the
petitioners in W.P.No.10127/2024 is hereby quashed.
iv) Impugned proceedings in
C.C.No.10968/2023, pending on the file of learned
Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court-IV,
Bengaluru, insofar it relates to the petitioners in
W.P.No.10234/2024 is hereby quashed.


v) Impugned proceedings in C.C.No .
10970/2023, pending on the file of learned
Metropolitan Magistrate Traffic Court-IV,
Bengaluru, insofar it relates to the petitioners in
W.P.No.10384/2024 is hereby quashed


Sd/-
(V SRISHANANDA)
JUDGE



HR
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