IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 23^RD DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.69/2018 BETWEEN:

1 . RUDRESH @ RUDRAIAH AGED ABOUT 21 YEARS S/O SANGAIAH HIREMUTT R/AT MOOLEGADDE MUTT VILLAGE HOSAMANE HOSANAGARA TALUK SHIVAMOGGA DISTRICT.

PERMANENT RESIDENT OF RAVALGUNDAVADI, JATHRA SANGLI, MAHARASTRA. … APPELLANT (BY SRI. SUNIL KUMAR S., ADVOCATE)

AND:

1 . STATE OF KARNATAKA BY HOSANAGARA POLICE, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU – 560009. … RESPONDENT (BY SRI. RAJATH SUBRAMANYA, HCGP)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 374(2)

OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF CONVICTION DATED 27.11.2017 AND SENTENCE DATED 30.11.2017 PASSED BY THE V ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, SHIVAMOGGA, SITTING AT SAGAR IN S.C.NO.10018/2017 - CONVICTING THE APPELLANT/ACCUSED FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 302 OF IPC.

THIS APPEAL HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR JUDGMENT ON 12.01.2026 THIS DAY, THE COURT PRONOUNCED THE FOLLOWING:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH AND HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T

CAV JUDGM