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2025 Supreme(Online)(Kar) 442514

THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
M.I.Arun, J
Girija V. Raj – Appellant
Versus
State Of Karnataka – Respondent
CRL.P No. 6863 of 2019



Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Sharath S. Gowda
For the Respondents: K. Nageshwarappa

The registration of successive FIRs against the same person for the same set of facts and allegations, especially where a prior complaint resulted in a final 'B' report, constitutes an abuse of the process of law and is liable to be quashed.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 120B, 447, 465, 466, 467, 468, 471, 420, 341, 352, 504, 506 - Quashing of criminal proceedings - Successive FIRs - Petitioner questioned the registration of fresh FIR regarding same set of facts where a 'B' report had already attained finality - Court observed that multiple FIRs against same person for same alleged offence amounts to abuse of process of law and double jeopardy - Proceedings quashed in relation to petitioners. (Paras 4, 7, 8 and 10)

Facts of the case:
The petitioners sought the quashing of a charge sheet filed in C.C.No.18486/2019 alleging forgery and cheating. It was contended that a prior private complaint on identical facts had resulted in a 'B' report, which was accepted by the court, rendering the present proceedings impermissible.

Findings of Court:
The Court held that the criminal proceedings against the petitioners were unsustainable as they pertained to the same subject matter which had already reached finality through a 'B' report previously. The ongoing civil litigation between the parties does not justify maintaining the criminal prosecution.

Issues: Whether the registration of a new FIR on the same set of facts previously resulting in a 'B' report constitutes an abuse of the process of law.

Ratio Decidendi: The registration of successive FIRs on the same set of facts and allegations, at the instance of the same informant, amounts to an abuse of the process of law and cannot be sustained.

Result: Petition allowed; proceedings quashed against petitioners.

Table of Content
1. summary of charges and the nature of the alleged forgery and cheating. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. contention regarding successive firs and the finality of a prior 'b' report. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7)
3. prohibition of multiple firs to prevent abuse of legal process. (Para 8 , 9)
4. final order quashing criminal proceedings against the petitioners. (Para 10)

THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE CHARGE SHEET FILED IN C.C.NO.18486 OF 19 CRIME NO.355/18 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE 9TH ADDL CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE AT BANGALORE AND ETC.,

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING / PHYSICAL HAERING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN

ORAL ORDER

1. The criminal petition is filed by accused Nos.1 and 2 in C.C.No.18486/2019 with the following prayers:

"(i) Call for the entire records in CC.NO.18486/2019 pending on the file of 9th Addl Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Bangalore.

(ii) Quash the charge sheet filed in CC No.18486 of 19 Crime No.355/18 pending on the file of the 9th Addl Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Bangalore.

(iii) Quash the entire proceeding in CC No.18486 of 19 pending on the file of 9th Addl Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Bangalore.

AND

(iv) Grant such other orders as this Hon'ble court deems fit in the fact and circumstances of the case in the interest of justice."

2. On the complaint of respondent No.2, an FIR came to be registered by respondent No.1-police and they have investigated the case and after investigation, a police report was filed against five accused of which the petitioners are accused Nos.1 and 2. The allegation against the accused in the police report is as follows:

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