The offence of bribery under Section 171E IPC requires proof of the ingredients defined in Section 171B, specifically the act of giving or receiving gratification to influence electoral rights; mere storage of goods without evidence of intent to distribute or influence does not constitute an electoral offence.

THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.15594/2023 FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 171E, 171F OF IPC AND SEC.123(1) OF REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE ACT 1950 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED 1ST A.C.J.M BENGALURU RURAL AT BENGALURU.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA

ORAL ORDER

The petitioner is before this Court calling in question the proceedings in C.C.No.15594 of 2023 pending before the I Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru.

2. A complaint comes to be registered against the petitioner after the Magistrate permitting investigation for offences punishable under Sections 171E and 171F of the IPC and Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. After registration of the crime, the police conduct investigation and file a charge sheet. The concerned Court, by its order dated 26-12-2023 takes cognizance of the offence and registers C.C.No.15594 of 2023 against the petitioner for the aforesaid offences. Registration of the CC and issuance of summons is what is called in question in the case at hand.

3. Heard Sri Puttaswamy K, learned counsel appearing for petitioner and Smt Sowmya R, learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for the respondent.

4. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that petitioner is neither a member nor a worker of any political party. He is a lecturer by profession and without any rhyme or reason he is dragged into these proceedings. Learned counsel would submit that the concerned Court has not rendered any reasons to take cognizance of the offence under Section 171E and 171F of the IPC.

5. Per-contra, learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for the respondent would vehemently refute the submission in contending that the petitioner must face trial and come out clean thereof.

6. The offence alleged against the petitioner is under Section 171E and 171F of the IPC, interpretation of the two, need not detain this Court for long or delve deep into the matter. This Court, interpreting Section 171E of the IPC in the case of M. MALURU ES EN KRISHNAIAH SETTY v. STATE OF KARNATAKA¹2025 SCC OnLine Kar 19647, has held as follows:

“…. …. ….

8. The afore-narrated facts are not in dispute. The search that is conducted in the house of the petitioner leads to registration of a complaint. The complaint reads as follows:

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