Reserved on : 20.01.2026 Pronounced on : 22.01.2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22^ND DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION No.716 OF 2026 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION No.721 OF 2026 IN CRIMINAL PETITION No.716 OF 2026 BETWEEN:

SRI RAJEEV GOWDA B. V., S/O SRI VARDAPPA AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS R/A NO. 34, SURYA SILK CITY LAYOUT KANKANAGARA, SHIDLAGHATTA CHIKKABALLAPURA – 562 101.

... PETITIONER (BY SRI VIVEK REDDY, SENIOR ADVOCATE FOR SRI K.N.SUBBA REDDY, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1 . STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY SHIDLAGATTA TOWN P.S.

REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU, PINCODE – 560 001.

2 . MISS. AMRUTHA G., AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS C/O MUNICIPAL OFFICE ASHOKA ROAD SHIDLAGATTA TOWN CHIKKABALLAPURA KARNATAKA – 562 101.

... RESPONDENTS (BY SRI B.N.JAGADEESHA, ADDL. SPP FOR R1)

THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 528 OF BNSS, PRAYING TO ALLOW THIS PETITION AND QUASH THE FIR BEARING CR.NO.9/2026 REGISTERED BY THE SHIDLAGHATTA TOWN P.S., FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 132, 224, 352, 351(3), 56 OF BNS, 2023 AND COMPLAINT DTD 14.01.2026, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (SR.DN) AND CJM COURT, SHIDLAGHATTA, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT, VIDE ANNEXURE A AND B RESPECTIVELY.

IN CRIMINAL PETITION No.721 OF 2026 BETWEEN:

SRI RAJEEV GOWDA S/O SRI VARDAPPA AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS R/AT NO. 34, WARD NO.01 SURYA SILK CITY LAYOUT OPP. GARUDADRI SCHOOL KANKANAGARA, SHIDLAGHATTA CHIKKABALAPURA – 562 101.

... PETITIONER (BY SRI VIVEK REDDY, SENIOR ADVOCATE FOR SRI K.N.SUBBA REDDY, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1 . STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY SIDDALAGATTAH TOWN P.S.

REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU PINCODE – 560 001.

2 . SRI C.N.SRINIVAS GOWDA S/O CHIKKAMUNEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS R/AT NAGAMANGALA VILLAGE SHIDDALAGATTA TOWN CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT – 562 101.

... RESPONDENTS (BY SRI B.N.JAGADEESHA, ADDL. SPP FOR R1)

THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 528 OF BNSS., PRAYING TO ALLOW THIS PETITION AND QUASH THE FIR BEARING CR.NO.10/2026 REGISTERED BY THE SHIDLAGHATTA TOWN P.S., FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 352, 353(2) OF BNS, 2023 AND COMPLAINT DTD 14.01.2026, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED PRL. CIVIL JUDGE (SR.DN) AND CJM COURT, SHIDLAGHATTA, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT AND COMPLIANT DATED 14.01.2026 VIDE ANNEXURE A AND B.

THESE CRIMINAL PETITIONS HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR ORDERS ON 20.01.2026, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:-

CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA

CAV ORDER

The accused is common in both these petitions and the complainants are different. The crimes arises out of a solitary incident. The crimes are Crime Nos. 9 of 2026 and 10 of 2026. In Crime No.9 of 2026, the offences alleged are the ones punishable under Sections 132, 224, 352, 351(3) and 56 of the BNS and in Crime No.10 of 2026, the offences alleged are the ones punishable under Sections 352, 353(2) of the BNS.

2. Facts adumbrated are as follows:

Crl.P.No.716 of 2026:

2.1. The root of the dispute traces itself to the publicity and promotion of a motion picture titled “Cult”. A film promotion programme was proposed to be conducted on 13-01-2026 at Nehru Stadium, Shidlaghatta Town which is said to be under the leadership of the petitioner. Banners with the portrait of the petitioner are said to have been installed all over the city Fort area.

The banners and placards that were hanging for the film promotion fell down and are said to have hit certain vehicles. In this connection oral complaint comes to be made to the complainant. The complainant along with the Health Inspector cleared the banners, as they were disturbing the public. On 12-01-2026 at 3.45 p.m., the petitioner over his mobile No.9900004501 calls the complainant and hurls abuses which were not in good taste. The complainant is said to have been terrified, mentally traumatized, as it was in utter defamation of a woman and the staff. Then, on the incident, th