1 Reserved on : 20.02.2025 Pronounced on : 07.03.2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 07TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION No.1724 OF 2025 BETWEEN: SRI MUNIRATHNA S/O LATE SUBRAMANYA NAIDU, AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, 141, 11TH A CROSS, VYALIKAVAL, MALLESWARAM, BENGALURU – 560 059. ALSO AT AS PER AADHAAR NO.147, 11TH CROSS, MALLESHWARAM BENGALURU – 560 003. ... PETITIONER (BY SRI ASHOK HARANAHALLI, SR.ADVOCATE FOR SRI SRINIVAS RAO, ADVOCATE) AND: 1 . STATE OF KARNATAKA BY BY VYALIKAVAL POLICE STATION [S.I.T] REPRESENTED BY SPP R 2 HIGH COURT BUILDING, BENGALURU – 560 001. 2 . SRI CHELUVARAJU AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS S/O LATE SRI. KARIAPPA RESIDING AT NO.F-114, B.E.L LAYOUT, 1ST STAGE, BHARATH NAGAR, BENGALURU – 560 091. ... RESPONDENTS (BY SRI PRADEEP C.S., ADDL.AG/SPL. PP) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR IN CR.NO.121/2024 DTD 13.09.2024 REGISTERED BY RESPONDENT NO.1 VYALIKAVAL P.S., (S.I.T) FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 504, 506, 323, 385, 420 R/W 37 OF THE IPC, 1860, ON THE FILE OF THE XLII ACJM, AND SPECIAL COURT FOR CASES AGAINST MPs/MLAs, BENGALURU, BASED ON THE WRITTEN INFORMATION OF RESPONDENT NO.2. THIS CRIMINAL PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR ORDERS ON 20.02.2025, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:- Page no.02 is retyped and replaced vide chamber order dated 11.03.2025 3 CAV ORDER The petitioner/accused is before this Court calling in question registration of a crime in Crime No.121 of 2024 registered for offences punishable under Sections 504, 506, 323, 385, 420 and 37 of the IPC and pending before the XLII Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) and Special Court for cases against MPs & MLAs, Bengaluru. 2. Heard Sri Ashok Haranahalli, learned senior counsel appearing for petitioner and Sri Pradeep C.S., learned Additional Advocate General appearing for respondents. 3. The facts, in brief, germane are as follows:- The 2nd respondent is the complainant. A complaint comes to be registered on 13-09-2024 alleging that the petitioner had demanded money from the informant to carry on his garbage disposal work, as he was a contractor who had been entrusted the CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA Page no.3 is retyped and replaced vide chamber order dated 11.03.2025 4 contract under the Solid Waste Management Tender of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (‘BBMP’). Two other crimes are registered which are not subject matter of the present lis, but their reference becomes necessary. On the same day, crime in Crime No.122 of 2024 is registered alleging hurling of abuses by the petitioner taking the caste of the informant therein to his friend. The 3rd crime in Crime No.312 of 2024 is registered against the petitioner on the allegation that the informant therein was allegedly raped half a decade ago. Since these crimes had emerged against the petitioner by different informants for different offences, the State thought it fit to constitute a Special Investigation Team (‘SIT’) of the Criminal Investigation Department (‘CID’). In furtherance whereof, a notification comes to be issued directing all criminal proceedings registered against the petitioner be investigated by the SIT. The continuance of investigation against the petitioner in Crime No.121 of 2024 forms the fulcrum of the present lis. 4. The learned senior counsel Sri Ashok Haranahalli appearing for the petitioner takes this Court through the complaint so registered to contend that the complaint is a product of political 5 conspiracy against the petitioner. He would contend that the events narrated in the complaint are about five years old and is deliberately registered in the year 2024 to wreak vengeance against the petitioner. Apart from the aforesaid contention, the learned senior counsel would submit that constitution of SIT itself is contrary to law. Therefore, all the investigations undertaken are contrary to law. He would seek quashment of entire investigation on the aforesaid twin scores. 5. Per contra, the learned Additional Advocate General would vehemently refute the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner by taking this Court through the complaint itself. It is his submission that the complaint does not stop at 2019. The harassment of the petitioner in demanding money continues from 2019 through 2024. Therefore, there is no delay attracted in the case at hand, as the petitioner continued the offence. Insofar as constitution of SIT is concerned, the learned Additional Advocate General would contend that it is strictly in consonance with law and does not warrant any interference, as the Government is Page no.05 is retyped and replaced vide chamber order dated 11.03.2025 6 empowered to create a SIT to investigate into the crimes that are of certain significance. 6. The learned senior counsel for the petitioner would join issue in taking this Court through the constitution of the SIT and point out that except the head of the SIT two other members do not belong to the CID. If the SIT is constituted of the CID, all officers need to be from the CID. He would further contend that the order constituting SIT directs that the final report should be filed before the Government and not before the concerned Court. Therefore, the very order constituting SIT is full of flaws. The investigation, therefore, should be quashed. 7. The learned Additional Advocate General would clarify the position by placing reliance upon the judgments of the Apex Court in the case of VINEET NARAIN v. UNION OF INDIA1 and of the learned single Judge of this Court in the case of IDEYA VENDAN R. v. STATE OF KARNATAKA2 to contend that the petitioner has to come out clean in the proceedings. 1 (1998) 1 SCC 226 2 W.P.No.7246-7250 of 2013 decided on 26-09-2013 Page no. 6 is retyped and replaced vide chamber order dated 11.03.2025 7 8. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the material on record. 9. The afore-narrated facts form the fulcrum of the complaint in Crime No.121 of 2024. Since the entire issue has now sprung from the complaint, I deem it appropriate to notice the contents of the complaint insofar as they are germane. It reads:– “ರವೆ: ¢£ÁAPÀ: 13/9/2024 ೕ ೕ ಆಯುಕರು, ೆಂಗಳರು ನಗರ EAzÀ: ೕ ೆಲುವಾಜು © : ಕಯಪ! 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PೆTೆjಂಬS-2023 ರ / ಎಂಎ8ಎ ರವರ [ಎ ಅ‚ƒೇ6 (ದೂ. ಸಂwೆ<: 8105328927] ರವರು ನನೆ „ೕ Qಾ3 ಎಂಎ8ಎ PಾJೇಬರು ಬರುವಂ;ೆ JೇZರು;ಾೆ ಎಂದು #Zaದುp, ನಂತರ ಮರುನ %ಾನು ,ೈiಾ< @ಾವ8ನ /ರುವ ಕXೇಯ / Dಾಸಕಾದ ೕ ಮು?ರತEರವರನುE ಭಯಂದ>ೇ (ೇ} Qಾ3ದುp, ಆಗ ಅವರು ನನೆ ?ೕನು ಎಷುj ವಷ.ಗZಂದ ,ಾ-. ನಂ. 42, ಲcd$ೇ*ನಗರ ,ಾ-. ನ / 3. $ೇವಾಜು ಅರಸು ಟ6 ಟ7.ನ8 ಪ$ೇಶದ ಘನ ;ಾ<ಜ< ಸಂಗಹ=ೆ ಮತು *>ೇ,ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಎಷುj ಸಮಯಂದ @ೆಲಸ Qಾಡು#pೕiಾ ಎಂದು @ೇZದುp, ಅದ@ೆN %ಾನು ಸQಾರು 3 ವಷ.ಗZಂದ Qಾಡು#ರುವl$ಾV #Zaದುp, ಅದ@ೆN “ಅವರು 3 ವಷ. ಅಂದೆ 36 #ಂಗಳ{ ಆ`ತು. ಈ @ೆಲಸದ ಸಲು,ಾV ನನೆ ಪ# #ಂಗಳ{ 1 ಲoದಂ;ೆ 36 ಲo ಆಗು;ೆ. ಆದೆ ?ೕನು 30 ಲo ®AZÀ @ೊಡು” ಎಂದು ೇ3@ೆ ಇ}jರು;ಾೆ. ಅದ@ೆN %ಾನು %ಾನು “ಅ=ಾ‡ 30 ®PÀë PÉÆqÀ®Ä DUÀĪÀÅ¢®è, 15 ®PÀë J°èAzÁzÀgÀÆ ¸Á® ªÀiÁr vÀAzÀÄ PÉÆqÀÄwÛä” JAzÀÄ ºÉýzÉ, DUÀ®Æ ¸ÀºÀ CªÀgÀÄ CªÁZÀå ±À§ÞUÀ½AzÀ £À£ÀUÉ ¨Á¬ÄUÉ §AzÀAvÉ ¨ÉÊzÀÄ ¨ÉÃUÀ ºÀt vÀAzÀÄ PÉÆqÀÄ JAzÀÄ ºÉý PÀ¼ÀÄ»¹gÀÄvÁÛgÉ. ನಂತರ 2023ರ ಸTೆjಂಬS #ಂಗಳ / ಒಂದು ನ ವಸಂತ ಕುQಾS ಎಂಬುವವರು ಲcd$ೇ*ನಗರದ / %ಾನು @ೆಲಸ Qಾಡು#ರು,ಾಗ ಬಂದು " ¯ÉÃAiÀiï, CeÉðAmÁV JAJ¯ïJ ಮು?ರತEರವರನುE Qಾತ%ಾ3a@ೊಂಡು ಾ, ಇಲ/,ಾದೆ ?ನE ಗಹಾರ %ೆಟjVರುವlಲ/ ಎಂದು ೆದ@ೆ Jಾˆರು;ಾೆ" JಾಾV %ಾನು ಮರುನ ಮು?ರತEರವರನುE ಭಯಂದ (ೇ} Qಾ3$ಾಗ ಅವರು ನನೆ “ಹಣ ತಂ$ೆ%ೋ” ಎಂದು @ೇZದರು. ಅದ@ೆN %ಾನು ಈಗ ತಂಲ/ @ೊ3ೕ? ಸS ಎಂ$ಾಗ, @ೋಪೊಂಡ ಮು?ರತEರವರು ನನE ಮುಖ@ೆN ಮನಬಂದಂ;ೆ ಥZa "%ಾನು ಎಂ.ಎ8.ಎ 5 ವಷ. ಇರು;ೇ%ೆ, ?ೕನು ಕೆPÁÖV ನನE ಹತ JೇZದಂೆ ನWೆದು@ೊಂಡು ದುಡುŠ ತಂದು @ೊಟjೆ ?ನೆ @ೆಲಸ Qಾಡಲು _ಡು;ೇ%ೆ. ಇಲ/ ಅಂದೆ %ಾನು ?ನE bೆಂಡSನುE @ಾ<ನu8 Qಾ3. ನನೆ ೇ@ಾದವೆ bೆಂಡS @ೊ3ಸು;ೇ%ೆ, %ಾನು ಎಂ.ಎ8.ಎ ಕ=ೋ, ಏನು ೇ@ಾದರೂ Qಾಡಲು ನನೆ ಅz@ಾರ ಇ$ೆ ಎಂದು ೆದ@ೆ Jಾˆದರು. ಅದ@ೆN %ಾನು ಇಲ/ ಅ=ಾ‡, ಸCಲ! ಸಮಯ ?ೕ3. ?ೕವl JೇZದಂ;ೆ ನWೆದು@ೊಳ{\#ೕ? ಎಂದು #Zaರು;ೇ%ೆ. 10 ಇ$ಾದ ನಂತರ %ಾನು ಹಣ @ೊಡ$ೇ ಇದುpದpಂದ ನ,ೆಂಬS-2023 #ಂಗZನ / ವಲಯ ಆಯುಕರು, ಾಜಾ"ೇಶCನಗರ ವಲಯ ರವೆ ,ಾ-. ನಂ. 42 ಲcd$ೇ*ನಗರ ,ಾ-. ನ / ಘನ;ಾ<ಜ< ?ವ.ಹ=ೆ, ಸಂಗಹ=ೆ ಮತು *>ೇ,ಾ @ಾಯ.ಗಳನುE ಗು#ೆ$ಾರ%ಾದ %ಾನು ಸiಾV ?ವ.eಸು#ಲ/,ೆಂದು, ನನE ಕಂಪ?ಯ ಗು#ೆಯನುE ರದುpQಾ3 ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಕೂಡ>ೇ ತು;ಾ.V 7 ನಗಳ ಅ>ಾ!ವz bೆಂಡS ಕೆದು @ಾiಾ.$ೇಶ ?ೕಡಲು __ಎಂ[ ಮುಖ< ಆಯುಕರವೆ ನನE ಗು#ೆ ಕಂಪ? *ರುದŒ ಪತ ಬೆರು;ಾೆ. ಮ;ೆ 16.11.2023 ರಂದು ನನE *ರುದŒ ಸiಾV ,ಾ-.ನ / @ೆಲಸ ?ವ.eಸು#ಲ/,ೆಂದು ದೂರು ?ೕ3ರು;ಾೆ. ಅದರಂ;ೆ ಸJಾಯಕ ಪfಾನ ವ<ವPಾ•ಪಕರು, ಾಜಾ"ೇಶCನಗರ *(ಾಗ, ೆಂಗಳರು ಘನ;ಾ<ಜ< ?ವ.ಹ=ಾ ?ಯ7ತ ರವರು ನನೆ ಅಗತ< ಕಮ ವea Žತ ರೂಪದ / ವರ ?ೕಡುವಂ;ೆ ಸೂ•aರು;ಾೆ. ಈ ೕ# ಹಲ,ಾರು ಪತಗಳನುE __ಎಂ[ ಅz@ಾಗZೆ ಬೆದು ನನE ಗು#ೆಯನುE ರದುpQಾಡಲು ಮು?ರತEರವರು @ೋದುp, ಇದರ ಸಲು,ಾV __ಎಂ[ ಅz@ಾಗಳ{ ನನE ,ಾ-.ನುE ತTಾಸ=ೆ Qಾ3ರು;ಾೆ. %ಾಂಕ 17.05.2024 ರಂದು ಸJಾಯಕ @ಾಯ.Tಾಲಕ ಅ‚ಯಂತರಾದ ೕ ವರ%ಾಾಯ• ರವರು ನನೆ ಕೆ Qಾ3 9 ,ಾ-.ಗಳ ಗು#ೆ$ಾರೆ TಾOೆ ೆZೆL Dಾಸಕರ ಗೃಹ ಕXೇಯ / 7ೕ}ಂ~ ಕೆದುp Jಾಜಾಗುವಂ;ೆ #Zaರು;ಾೆ. ಅದರಂ;ೆ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 18.05.2024 ರಂದು ೆZೆL ಸುQಾರು 9-00 ಗಂbೆ ಸಮಯ@ೆN %ಾನು ,ೈiಾ @ಾವ¯ï£À°ègÀĪÀ ±Á¸ÀPÀgÀ UÀÈಹ ಕXೇೆ JೋVರು;ೇ%ೆ. ಆಗ ಮು?ರತEರವರು ನನEನುE ಅವರ wಾಸV bÉAಬS ೆ ಕೆ`a “@ಾಸು vÀA¢¢Ýh%ೋ ಎಂದು @ೇZದುp ಅದ@ೆN %ಾನು ಇಲ/ @ೊಡು;ೇ%ೆ ಎಂದು JೇZ$ಾಗ ಎಂಎ8ಎ ಮು?ರತEರವರು ನನೆ ?ನEಮx @ೆ`PೊNೕಂ- Mೕ>ೆ @ೊ3ೕiಾ, ?ನEಮx iಾಾದರೂ ಅಡ ಇಟುj ತಂದು@ೊWೋ, ೇೆ ೇೆಯವೆ ಮಲಗುaಯ>ೊ/ೕ, ನನೆ ಮಲUÉÆìÃ, ಏ ೌಡ ;ಾ%ೇ ?ೕನು, ಆ ಸೂOೆ ಮಗನ "ೊ;ೆ iಾ@ೋ Pೇ$ೆ, ಆ Jೊ>ೆಯನ "ೊ;ೆ, (QಾK @ಾೕ.ೇಟS ,ೇಲು %ಾಯಕS ರವರನುE ಉ$ೆpೕa) ಒಬ‘ ೌಡ ಆVೕ iಾ@ೋ Jೊ>ೆಯನ PಾQÛÃiಾ, Jೇ ಲವWೇ @ೇ ಾ8, ಸೂOೆ ಮಗ%ೇ %ಾನು 5 ವಷ. ಎಂಎ8ಎ ಕ=ೋ, ?ನೆ %ೆಮx ಇಲ/ದಂೆ Qಾಡಆˆj3ೕ?, _3ೕ%ಾ ?ನE ಸುಮx%ೆ, ಇದಲ/, ಇನೂE ನೂರು Tಾ/ನ / ? ಕ;ೆ ಮುVaೕ?, ಅವನವC ಆ Jೊ>ೆಯ ಸೂOೆ ಮಗನ @ೈಯ< / ಏ%ಾಗು;ೋ, ?%ಾEಮxನE@ೆಯ< ಏ Qಾತ%ಾ3p•ೕ ಅದನE ತೊಂಡು ಾೋ, ನ3•ೕ>ೆ ಸೂOೆ ಮಗ%ೇ ಎಂದು @ೆಟj @ೆbಾj$ಾV ಅ,ಾಚ< ಶಬpಗZಂದ ?ಂa ಅವರು @ೈ`ಂದ ನನE ತ>ೆೆ JೊWೆದು, ೆದa ಕಳ{eaದರು. ಅದನುE %ಾನು ಆ3•ೕ ೆ@ಾ3ಂ.~ ªÀiÁrPÉÆArgÀÄvÉÛãÉ. EzÉ ¸ÀAzÀ¨sÀðzÀ°è «dAiÀiïPÀĪÀiÁgï, C©µÉÃPï £À£Àß ªÉÄÃ¯É ºÀ¯Éè ªÀiÁrzÀgÀÄ.” 11 A perusal at the complaint would indicate that demand for money began on 05-07-2019. Every paragraph is indicative of the years of allegations against the petitioner. It travels from 05-07-2019 and stops at 08-08-2024. This exactly forms the fulcrum of the lis. Therefore, it is not the case where the incident of 05-07-2019 alone is complained of on 13-09-2024. The offence continued for five years. Being allegedly fed up of the torture, the complainant/informant comes forward to register the crime. Therefore, the investigation is not hit by delay. Thus, falls the first ground urged by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner. 10. The next submission is with regard to constitution of SIT. As observed hereinabove, there were three crimes registered against the petitioner even including the offence of rape. The investigation was initially handed over to the CID. Later, the State Government thought it fit to constitute a SIT of the CID to investigate into the crime. The order dated 21-09-2024 of the constitution of the SIT reads as follows: “ಪPಾವ%ೆ:- 12 Mೕ>ೆ ಓದ>ಾದ (1) ಮತು (2)ರ / ದೂರು$ಾರರು ತಮೆ "ಾ# ?ಂದ%ೆ Qಾ3 ಅ,ಾಚ< ಶಬpಗZಂದ ೈದು, ಹ>ೆ/ Qಾ3 Jಾಗೂ ಲಂಚ@ಾNV ೇ3@ೆ ಇ}jರುವ ಕುತು ೕ ಮು?ರತE Dಾಸಕರು Jಾಗೂ ಇತರರ *ರು“ಧ ೆಂಗಳರು ನಗರ ªÉÊAiÀiÁ°PÁªÀ¯ï ¥Éưøï oÁuÉAiÀÄ°è Qæ«Ä£À¯ï ªÉÆPÀzÀݪÉÄ ¸ÀASÉå:121/2024 PÀ®A 506, 504, , 385, 420, 323 gÉ/* 34 L¦¹ Jಾಗೂ ˆ7ನ8 ªÉÆPÀzÀݪÉÄ ¸ÀASÉå: : 122/2024, PÀ®A 153 (J)(1)(J)(©), 509, 504, 153 L¦¹ Jಾಗೂ PÀ®A 3(1)(Dgï)(J¸ï) ಪಷj eÁw ಮತು ಪಷj ಪಂಗಡ ($ೌಜ.ನ< ತWೆ) @ಾhp ರ3 %ಾಂಕ:13.09.2024 ರಂದು ಪಕರಣಗಳ{ $ಾಖ>ಾVರುತ$ೆ. Mೕ>ೆ ಓದ>ಾದ (3)ರ / ಮeOೆ•ಬ‘ರ ದೂನ Mೕೆೆ ೕ ಮು?ರತE, Dಾಸಕರು, Jಾಗೂ ಇತರರ *ರುದŒ ಾಮನಗರ K>ೆ/, ಕಗL ೕಪlರ ೕ ”ಾ=ೆಯ / Qæ«Ä£À¯ï ªÉÆPÀzÀݪÉÄ ¸ÀASÉå:: 312/2024, PÀ®A 354(J), 354(¹), 376(2)( (J£ï), 506, 504, 120(©), 149, 384, 406, 308 L¦¹ ಮತು PÀ®A 66, 66(E) L.n PÁAiÉÄÝ-2000 gÀr %ಾಂಕ:18.09.2024ರಂದು ¥Àæಕರಣವl $ಾಖ>ಾVರುತ$ೆ. ಸ@ಾ.ರವl ಈ MೕಲNಂಡ ಪಕರಣಗಳ ಗಂ‚ೕರ;ೆಯನುE ಪಗ•a, ಈ ಪಕರಣಗಳ ಸಮಗ ತ?wೆಯನುE @ೈೊಳ\ಲು ಾಜ<ದ *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ಸಂPೆ•iಾದ aಐ3ಯ ಒಂದು *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡ (Special Investigation Team)ವನುE ರ•ಸುವlದು ಸೂಕ,ೆಂದು #ೕQಾ.?a ಈ @ೆಳಕಂಡಂ;ೆ ಆ$ೇa$ೆ. ಸ@ಾ.ರದ ಆ$ೇಶ ಸಂwೆ<: Jೆ—3 142 aಒ3 2024, ೆಂಗಳರು, %ಾಂಕ:21/09/2024. ಪPಾವ%ೆಯ / *ವaರುವ ಅಂಶಗಳ e%ೆE>ೆಯ / Dಾಸಕಾದ ೕ ಮು?ರತE Jಾಗೂ ಇತರರ *ರುದŒ ೆಂಗಳರು ನಗರ ,ೈiಾ @ಾವ8 ೕ ”ಾ=ೆಯ / ˆ7ನ8 kಕದpM ಸಂwೆ<: 121/2024, PÀ®A 506, 504, 385, 420, 323 gÉ/* 34 L¦¹ ೆಂಗಳರು ನಗರ ,ೈiಾ< @ಾವ8 ೕ ”ಾ=ೆಯ / ˆ7ನ8 kಕದpM ಸಂwೆ<. 122/2024, PÀ®A 153 (J)(1)(J)(©), 509, 504, 153 L¦¹ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ಾಮನಗರ K>ೆ/, ಕಗL ೕಪlರ ೕ ”ಾ=ೆಯ / ˆ7ನ8 kಕದpM ಸಂwೆ<: 312/2024, ಕಲಂ 354(ಎ) 354(¹), 376(2)( J£ï), 506, 504, 120(©), 149, 384, 406, 308 L¦¹ ಕಲಂ 66, 66(E) ಐ.} @ಾhp-2000 ರ3 $ಾಖ>ಾVರುವ ಪಕರಣಗಳ ಕುತು ಸಮಗ ತ?wೆಯನುE @ೈೊಳ\ಲು ಾಜ<ದ *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ಸಂPೆ•iಾದ aಐ3ಯ ಈ @ೆಳಕಂಡ eಯ ೕ ಅz@ಾಗಳ%ೊEಳೊಂಡ ಒಂದು *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡ (Special Investigation Team)ವನುE ರ•a ಸ@ಾ.ರವl ಆ$ೇa$ೆ. 13 1. ೕ _. @ೆ. aಂ~. ಐ.[.ಎ . ಅ¥Àರ ೕ ಮJಾ ?$ೇ.ಶಕರು, ಆ™.ಕ ಅಪಾಧಗಳ{, a.ಐ.3. ೆಂಗಳರು ಮುಖ<ಸ•ರು 2. ೕ ಲಭುಾš ಐ.[.ಎ . ೕ ಮJಾ?ೕoಕರು, @ೇಂದ ವಲಯ, ೆಂಗಳರು. ಸದಸ<ರು 3. ೕಮ# Pೌಮ<ಲತ ಐ.[.ಎ . ೕ ಅzೕoಕರು, ೈ>ೆCೕ , ೆಂಗಳರು. ಸದಸ<ರು 4. ೕ a.ಎ.Pೈಮ, ೕ ಅzೕoಕರು, (ಪಸುತ ಸ•ಳ?ೕo=ೆ), ಸದಸ<ರು MೕಲNಂಡ ಮೂರು ಪಕರಣಗಳ{ Pೇದಂ;ೆ Jಾಗೂ ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ MೕಲNಂಡ Dಾಸಕರು Jಾಗೂ ಇತರರ *ರುದŒ ಾಜ<ದ ಇತೆ ೕ ”ಾ•ಗಳ / $ಾಖ>ಾದ /$ಾಖ¯Áಗಬಹು$ಾದ ಎ>ಾ/ ಪಕರಣಗಳನುE ಮJಾ?$ೇ.ಶಕರು ಮತು Dರoಕ ಮJಾ?ೕoಕರು ಈ *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡ (Special Investigation Team)PÉÌ ವಾ.`ಸುವlದು Jಾಗೂ *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡ@ೆN ಅವಶ<*ರುವ ಇತೆ ಸದಸ<ರುಗಳ{, ಅz@ಾಗಳ{ / aಬ‘ಂಗಳ ಅವಶ<ಕ;ೆ ಇದp / ಮJಾ ?$ೇ.ಶಕರು ಮತು ಆರoಕ ಮJಾ?ೕoಕರು, ೆಂಗಳರು ರವರ ಅನುkೕದ%ೆ•ಂೆ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡ@ೆN Pೇa@ೊಳ{\ವlದು. *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡವl (Special Investigation Team) aಐ3ಯ / ಲಭ<*ರುವ ಸಂಪನೂxಲಗಳನುE ಬಳa@ೊಳ{\ವlದು. ೕ ಮJಾ ?$ೇ.ಶಕರು, aಐ3, ರವರ Mೕ Cಾರ=ೆಯ / ಈ *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡ (Special Investigation Team)ವl @ಾಯ. ?ವ.eಸುವlದು. *Dೇಷ ತ?wಾ ತಂಡವl MೕಲNಂಡ ಪಕರಣಗಳ{ Jಾಗೂ MೕಲNಂಡ Dಾಸಕರುಗಳ *ರುದŒ $ಾಖ>ಾಗುವ ಇತೆ ಎ>ಾ/ ಪಕರಣಗಳ ಸಮಗ ತ?wೆಯನುE ನWೆa, ತ?wಾ ವರಯನುE ಮJಾ ?$ೇ.ಶಕರು ಮತು ಆರoಕ ಮJಾ?ೕoಕರು, ೆಂಗಳರು ರವರ ಮುwಾಂತರ ೕಘ,ಾV ಸ@ಾ.ರ@ೆN ಸ /ಸತಕNದು.” 14 The contention of the learned senior counsel that the head of the SIT is from CID and others are not is contrary to records. It is an admitted fact that the head of the SIT is from CID. CID is a Department in the Criminal Investigation System of the State. It is a Criminal Investigation Department like several other departments namely COD etc. There are two types of officers who man the CID – one directly recruited to the CID; they are called as the detectives and only those detectives are permanent employees of the CID. All other officers are drawn from the general Police wing of the State by transfer, deputation or any other mode. It is in public domain that except those detectives, all other officers are from general Police. Therefore, the submission that the head of the SID is from CID and others are not, apart from being factually incorrect, is a legally untenable statement. 11. It is the submission of the learned Additional Advocate General that other three members are also deputationists in the CID. This submission is not disputed, but the contention is that they should be from CID. I decline to accept this submission, as SIT can be constituted to a crime of officers drawn from different Page no.14 is retyped and replaced vide chamber order dated 11.03.2025 15 Departments. Merely because the Government order refers to a SIT of the CID it does not mean that it gets vitiated on account of other teammates in the SIT being drawn from other sources. The Head of the investigation team is from CID is an admitted fact. The others would be to assist the head. Therefore, the submission that there is a flaw in the constitution of SIT, is itself a flawed submission and sans countenance. 12. The second part of the submission is that SIT is directed to furnish its report to the Government and not before Court of law, therefore, it is vitiated or investigation gets vitiated. This submission is again unacceptable as, considering an identical circumstance, the coordinate Bench in IDEYA VENDAN supra has held as follows: “…. …. …. 36) As noticed supra, it is the contention of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners that CID Police had no jurisdiction to file the charge sheet before the jurisdictional Magistrate since they were directed by the Government to submit a report to the Government, as such, the charge sheets filed are without jurisdiction. I find no substance in this contention. The Government in exercise of its power of superintendence over the Police Force and having regard to the seriousness of the allegations made involving huge sums of public money, 16 transferred the investigation to CID Police. Of course, in the notification, the CID was directed to complete the investigation at an early date and take steps to submit the report to the Government. This direction in my considered opinion, does not come in the way of the power of the CID Police as officers-in-charge of the police station to file final report in terms of Section 173(2) of Cr.P.C. on completion of investigation. The Government notification does not preclude the CID Police from exercising the power vested in the Investigating Officer to file final report under Section 173(2) of Cr.P.C. to the jurisdictional court. In every case registered in respect of cognizable offences under Section 154 of Cr.P.C., the officer-in-charge of the police station having jurisdiction to investigate, is empowered to proceed with the investigation and on completion of investigation to form opinion as to whether on the materials collected, there is a case to place the accused before the Magistrate for trial and if so, to take necessary steps for the same by filing a charge sheet under Section 173(2) of Cr.P.C. The Apex Court in Ashok Kumar Todi’s case referred to supra, in Paragraph-49 has set-out various steps contemplated by Code of Criminal Procedure to be carried-out during investigation, which reads as under:- 49. The Code contemplates the following steps to be carried-out during such investigation:- i) proceeding to the spot; ii) ascertainment of the facts and circumstances of the case; iii) discovery and arrest of the suspected offender; iv) collection of evidence relating to the commission of the offence which may consist of- a) The examination of various persons (including the accused) and the reduction of their statements into writing, if the officer thinks fit, 17 b) The search of places or seizure of things considered necessary for the investigation and to be produced at the trial; and v) formation of opinion as to whether on the material collected there is a case to place the accused before a Magistrate for trial and, if so, to take necessary steps for the same by filing of charge sheet under Section 173.” Therefore, in the light of the above, it cannot be said that the CID Police had no competence to file charge sheet under Section 173(2) of Cr.P.C. Having regard to the fact that the Government transferred the investigation to CID police, the CID police assumed the status of officer-in-charge of the police empowered to take all necessary steps as contemplated by the Code regarding investigation of the case including the power to form final opinion and to place the charge sheet before the jurisdictional court. Merely because, in the notification issued by the Government, CID was directed to submit a report to the Government, it cannot be interpreted that the CID police had no jurisdiction to file the charge sheet in terms of Section 173(2) of Cr.P.C.. The direction so contained in notification will have to be construed as a direction to CID to submit a status report to the Government as to the action taken by it in respect of the investigation of the case entrusted to it. In this view of the matter, I find no substance in the said contention and accordingly, it is rejected.” (Emphasis supplied) The coordinate bench holds that merely because an order constituting SIT of the CID and directing submission of the report to the Government would not mean that it would get vitiated. The CID would also have power to file it before the concerned Court. This submission also is steered clear by the very Notification 18 declaring the CID to be a police station. The Notification dated 12-01-2024 reads as follows: “GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA No.HD/94/POP/2023 Karnataka Government Secretariat Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore, dated 12-01-2024. NOTIFICATION In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (s) of Section 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Central Act- 2 of 1974), and in supersession of earlier order or notification issued in this regard, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) an unit of Karnataka Police Department is declared and notified as police station for the entire territory of the State of Karnataka. The Police Inspector rank officer of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will be the Station House Officer and Officer in-charge of Police Station for the purpose of provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Central Act-2 of 1974) relating to the criminal cases referred by the Government of Karnataka, the Supreme Court or the High Court or the Director General and Inspector general of Police, Karnataka State for the purpose of investigation and to register criminal cases in cognizable offences made out of enquiries to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by the Government of Karnataka, the Supreme Court of India or the High Court or the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Karnataka State. By order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka, Sd/- (K.N.VANAJA), 12/1/24 Under Secretary to Government, Home Department (Police Expenditure).” 19 In the light of the judgment and the notification supra the second submission that the Government order runs contrary to law is unacceptable. I find no merit in the submission as, on and from 12-01-2024, CID is declared to be the police station. The said ground also tumbles down. In all, the petition is meritless. It being meritless, should necessarily meet its rejection. Petition accordingly stands rejected. Interim order, if any operating, shall stand dissolved. SD/- ____________________ JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA Bkp CT:MJ