IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 5^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HANCHATE SANJEEVKUMAR CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.100019 OF 2026 (U/S.14 A(2) of SC and ST ACT)

BETWEEN:

1. SRI ANAND S/O. SIDDALINGAPPA GOTADAKI, AGE: 49 YEARS, OCC: SELF EMPLOYED, R/O. HOUSE NO.1862, SOMAVAR PETH, TQ. GOKAK, DIST. BELAGAVI, PIN-571326.

2. SRI DUNDESH S/O. BASAVARAJ SHIRASANGI, AGE: 31 YEARS, OCC: SELF EMPLOYED, R/O. HOUSE NO.1519, AMBIGER GALLI, TQ. GOKAK, DIST. BELAGAVI, PIN-571326.

Digitally signed by MALLIKARJUN RUDRAYYA KALMATH Location: High …APPELLANTS Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench (BY SRI SANTOSH B. MALAGOUDAR, ADVOCATE.)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, THROUGH PSI, GOKAK TOWN POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY ITS ADDL. STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, SPP OFFICE, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD.

2. SRI K. R. GUDAJ, AGE: 61 YEARS, OCC: RETD. GOVT. EMPLOYEE, R/O. ADIJAMBAV NAGAR, TQ. GOKAK, DIST. BELAGAVI, PIN-571326.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI JAIRAM SIDDI, HCGP FOR R1; SRI VINAYAK MEGUNDI, ADV. FOR R2)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 14A(2)

OF THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND THE SCHEDULED TRIBES (PREVENTION OF ATROCITIES) ACT, 1989, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE ORDER DATED 0