R IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 13^TH DAY OF MARCH 2026 PRESENT THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA CRIMINAL APPEAL No. 824 OF 2023 BETWEEN:

1. MOHAN NAIK S/O GOVINDA NAIK, NOW AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS, R/O AMMANAPURA, AVVERAHALLI POST, KAILANCH HOBLI, RAMANAGARA TALUK.

RAMANAGARA DISTRICT-562159 [Now in Judicial Custody]

2. APPU NAIK S/O VINOD KUMAR, NOW AGED ABOUT 23 YEARS, R/O AMMANAPURA, AVVERAHALLI POST, KAILANCH HOBLI, RAMANAGARA TALUK.

RAMANAGARA DISTRICT-562159 [Now in Judicial Custody]

…APPELLANTS (BY SRI K.A. CHANDRASHEKARA, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY RAMANAGARA WOMEN POLICE STATION RAMANAGARA-562159.

REPTD BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU-560001.

2. M/S. GOWRI BAI W/O MANJU NAIK R/O AMMANAPURA AVVVERAHALLI POST KAILANCH HOBLI, RAMANAGARA TALUK.

RAMANAGARA DISTRICT-562159 AMENDED AS PER ORDER DATED 29.07.2025 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI B. LAKSHMAN, HCGP FOR R1;

R2 SERVED, UNREPRESETED)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 374(2)

OF THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF CONVICTION AND SENTENCE DATED 28-03-2023/31-03-2023 PASSED IN S.C. NO.26/2022 BY THE III ADDL., DISTRICT AND