ORDER

K. Bhakthavatsala, J.—The petitioner, who is the Chairman and founder President of Infosys, is before this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 praying for quashing the proceedings in P.C.R. No. 7710/2007 (C.C. No. 12359 of 2007) on the file of II Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bangalore, for the offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the National Honour Act’).

2. The petitioner is represented by Sri K.K. Venugopal, learned Senior Counsel along with Sri K. Shashikiran Shetty. The respondent is represented by Sri C.H. Hanumantharaya, learned Senior Counsel along with Sri M.K. Vijayakumar.

3. The brief facts of the case leading to the filing of the petition may be stated as under:

On 3-5-2007 the respondent-Karnataka Rakshana Vakeelara Vedike (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Forum’) lodged a private complaint under Section 200 of the Cr.P.C. against the petitioner alleging that on 8-4-2007 in the inaugural function of the Infosys Global Training Center at Mysore, attended by the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Khalam, as the Chief Guest, National Anthem was