ORAL ORDER

1. The petitioner/accused challenges the registration of the First Information Report (FIR) in Crime No.132/2024 registered with Mundgod Police Station for offences punishable under Sections

354A, 354D, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

2. The second respondent lodged the FIR alleging that the petitioner, serving as the In-charge Principal of the Government Polytechnic College, summoned her to his chambers on 25.03.2022 when she was employed as a Group-D employee, misbehaved with her and with sexual intent asked to obey him failing which he would relieve her from service.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the FIR was lodged after an inordinate delay of more than two years from the date of the alleged incident without any plausible explanation. He argued that the FIR was filed as an afterthought, with malafide intent, and solely to wreak vengeance against the petitioner who had relieved her from service.

4. Conversely, learned Additional Government Advocate for respondent No.1-State and the learned counsel for respondent No.2 (de facto complainant) submitted that the petitioner is allegedly habitual in harassing female employees, and several complaint