ORDER

Dated this the 21st day of October, 2025

The petitioner is the accused in S.T.No.399/2022 on the file of the Court of the Judicial First-Class Magistrate-IV, Kozhikode. Annexure A-1 private complaint is filed by the 2^nd respondent alleging that the petitioner has committed the offences punishable under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code .

2. The gravamen of Annexure A1 complaint is that, the 2^nd respondent is a public activist. He had undertaken several programmes for the benefit of the public. When it came to his notice that the petitioner had managed to obtain a Padma Shree through backdoor, by illegal means and using his money power, the 2^nd respondent filed W.P(C) No.6007/2016 before this Court. The petitioner has contested the writ petition by filing a counter affidavit. The petitioner also made defamatory references against the 2^nd respondent, including filing W.P.(C)No.2610/2018 before this Court, by making disparaging remarks against the 2^nd respondent. The petitioner has lowered the image and prestige of the 2^nd respondent. Thereby the petitioner has committed the above offences.

3. Annexure A1 complaint was initially numbered as Crl.MP No.186/2019. Howeve