IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 3043 OF 2026 (482(Cr.PC)

/ 528(BNSS)-)

BETWEEN:

SRI KANTHARAJU MC S/O CHALUVAIAH AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS OCCUPATION: ASST DIRECTOR RURAL EMPLOYMENT, KUNIGAL. RESIDING AT AJJALAHANAPALYA KANNASANDRA NARASANDRA PSOT MADIGONDANAHALLI KUDUR HOBLI BENGALUR RURAL 562 127 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. P. PRASANNA KUMAR, ADVOCATE)

Digitally signed by SHWETHA AND:

RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA COURT OF BY THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE KARNATAKA THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTHA POLICE STATION TUMKURU REPRESENTED BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR BR AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU 560 001

2. SRI B P SIDDAGANGAPPA S/O LATE PUTTAIAH AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS RESIDENT OF CS PURA VILLAGE GUBBI TALUK TUMKUR DISTRICT 572213 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.N. JAGADEESHA., ADDL. SPP FOR R1)

THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNNS)

PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED CHARGE SHEET DATED 25.11.2025 FILED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT / POLICE IN CR.NO.03/2023 (SPL.C.NO.735/2025) AS AGAINST THE PETITIONER HEREIN AND ONE ANOTHER, WHEREIN THE PETITIONER IS ARRIAGNED AS ACCUSED NO.1 ALLEGING THE COMMISSION OF OFFENCE P/U/S 7(a) OF P.C ACT 1988 (AMENDMENT ACT 2018) AND SUBMITTED BEFORE THE VII ADDL.DISTRICT AND SESSIONS AND SPL.JUDGE, TUMAKURU IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONER / ACCUSED NO.1 IS CONCERNED (PRODUCED VIDE ANNEUXRE-B) AND ETC.

THIS CRL.P N, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA

ORAL ORDER

The petitioner is before this Court seeking the following prayers:

i) “Call for relevant records;

ii) Quash the impugned charge sheet dt.25.11.2025 filed by the 1^st respondent/police in Crime No.03/2023 (Spl.C.No.735/2025) as against the petitioner herein and one another, wherein the petitioner is arraigned as Accused No.1, alleging the commission of offence under Sec.7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment Act, 2018), and submitted before the VII Addl. District and Sessions and Special Judge, Tumkuru, insofar as the petitioner/accused No.1 is concerned (produced vide Annexure ‘B’).

iii) Set aside the order dt.30.12.2025 passed by the VII Addl. District & Sessions & Special Judge, Tumkur in Crime No.03/2023 (Spl.C.No.735/2025) passed as against the petitioner herein and one another, wherein the petitioner is arraigned as Accused No.1, alleging the commission of offence under Sec.7(a) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amendment Act, 2018), insofar as the petitioner/accused No.1 is concerned (produced vide Annexures ‘A’)

iv) Pass such other order or direction, as deemed fit in the circumstances of the case.”

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Sri. P. Prasanna Kumar.

3. The learned counsel though vehemently contends that there is no demand, but acceptance is found. It would not be enough in law to continue the prosecution against the petitioner. He would later submit that he would avail the remedy of filing a discharge and in the event the concerned Court would not discharge the petitioner on the said ground, would approach this Court again.

4. Reserving such liberty, the petition stands disposed.

SD/-

(M.NAGAPRASANNA)

JUDGE KTY List No.: 1 Sl No.: 21