IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 27^th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ AND THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE GEETHA K.B.

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.100369 OF 2022 (A)

BETWEEN STATE OF KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY THE POLICE INSPECTOR, DHARWAD, WOMEN POLICE STATION, DHARWAD DISTRICT, THROUGH THE ADDITIONAL STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, ADVOCATE GENERAL OFFICE, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH-580001.

...APPELLANT (BY SRI. M.B. GUNDWADE, ADDITIONAL SPP)

AND

1. SHRI MUTTAPPA S/O. NINGAPPA VAYAGAL, AGE: 31 YEARS, OCC: LABOURER, R/O. JADAGERI ONI, NEAR HALE MASUTI, ANNIGERI-582201, DIST: DHARWAD-580001.

2. KASTURAVVA W/O. SOMASHEKHARAYYA HIREMATH, R/O. AGASI ONI, ANNIGERI, DIST: GADAG.

CAUSE TITLE AMENDED AS VIDE ORDER DATED 28/07/2025.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PRAVEEN HUCHAREDDY, ADVOCATE FOR R1;

SMT. ANURADHA R. DESHPANDE, AMICUS CURIAE FOR R2;

P.W.-6 AND P.W.-8 ARE SERVED)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 378(1)

AND (3) OF CR.PC., SEEKING TO GRANT LEAVE TO APPEAL AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF ACQUITTAL DATED 20.09.2021 PASSED BY II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS AND SPECIAL JUDGE, DHARWAD IN SPL.S.C.NO.53/2019 AND TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND