Mentally unstable man allegedly tied to pillar and beaten over dung thrown at an image; police charge-sheet 20 others, file B-report against him

The petitioner sought to quash FIR in Crime No. 100/2026, registered by Yelandur Police for alleged offences under Sections 299 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 3(1)(t) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The proceedings arose from an incident in which, according to the Court’s earlier order, a man described as mentally unstable was allegedly stripped, tied to a stone pillar and beaten following an allegation that dung had been thrown on an image; the parties had also lodged cases against each other.

During the petition, the Court permitted investigation subject to safeguards against harassment and coercive steps.

At the final hearing, the State submitted that a ‘B’ report had been filed against the petitioner and a charge sheet against 20 other accused.

Whether the petition seeking quashing of the FIR remained live after the police filed a ‘B’ report against the petitioner.

Whether any further direction was required regarding the charge sheet filed against the other accused.

The petition invoked Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, as the provision under which the petitioner sought quashing of the FIR.

The FIR concerned alleged offences under Sections 299 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 3(1)(t) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The Court cited no precedent or substantive legal test; it disposed of the petition on the procedural ground that the ‘B’ report against the petitioner rendered the petition, as presented, infructuous.

The Court did not adjudicate the merits of the allegations or determine whether the FIR should be quashed.

Once the State informed the Court that a ‘B’ report had been filed against the petitioner, the relief sought in the petition was no longer live, and the petition was therefore rendered infructuous.

Given the seriousness of the incident described in its earlier orders, the Court separately directed that the charge sheet against the other accused be placed before the jurisdictional court without delay.

The Station House Officer was directed to place the charge sheet against the other accused before the concerned court without delay.

The Court left open the petitioner’s available remedies, including approaching the High Court again if necessary.