ORAL ORDER

This petition is filed by the accused seeking quashing of the proceedings pending in C.C.No.30739/2023 for the offence punishable under Section 500 of IPC .

2. The gist of the private complaint instituted by the respondent/complainant is as under:

The respondent/complainant has filed a private complaint under Section 200 of the Cr.P.C., alleging that the petitioners published a defamatory statement in the Prajavani newspaper. It is further alleged that the petitioners circulated false and frivolous emails among community members, with the intention of tarnishing the reputation of the complainant. In paragraph 19 of the private complaint, it is specifically asserted that the petitioners were responsible for publishing an article in Prajavani that was defamatory per se.

3. The learned Magistrate, on considering the complaint and material on record, has taken cognizance of the offence and issued summons to the petitioners. Aggrieved by the said order, the petitioners have approached this Court seeking quashing o