- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:44412 CRL.P No. 14399 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 4TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 14399 OF 2025 BETWEEN: 1. SRI. MANJUNATHA R. S/O LATE RANGAPPA, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, R/O. ARALEDIBBA VILLAGE, T.BEGURU POST, NELAMANGALA TALUK, BENGALURU-562 123. 2. SRI. MUNIRAJU B.K. S/O LATE KARIGIRIAPPA, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, R/O T BEGUR VILLAGE, KASABA HOBLI, NELAMANGALA TALUK, BENGALURU-562 123. …PETITIONERS (BY SMT./MISS. SHYAMALA, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. BALARAJ V.R., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY S.H.O. BENGALURU CEN. CRIME POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY THE LEARNED STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDINGS, BANGALORE-560 001. Digitally signed by LAKSHMI T Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:44412 CRL.P No. 14399 of 2025 2. SMT. PUSHPA W/O SRI. VENKATA ARASAPPA, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, ANANDA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA TALUK, BENGALURU-562 123. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. RAHUL RAI K., HCGP FOR R1 (P/H); SRI. CHETHAN B.R., ADVOCATE FOR R2 (P/H) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS) PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.9756/2025 ARISING OUT OF CRIME NO.379/2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU RURAL DISTRICT, BENGALURU FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 66(E), 67 AND 67(A) OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000 AND SECTIONS 354, 204, 509 OF THE IPC AGAINST THE PETITIONERS REGISTERED BY THE CEN (CYBER, ECONOMIC AND NARCOTICS) CRIME POLICE STATION, BENGALURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ ORAL ORDER Proceedings in C.C.No.9756/2025 pending on the file of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru Rural District, Bengaluru is sought to be quashed in this petition. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:44412 CRL.P No. 14399 of 2025 2. Based on a complaint lodged by respondent No.2, a case in Crime No.379/2023 was registered at Bengaluru CEN Crime Police Station, Bengaluru against the petitioners for the offence punishable under Section 67, 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2008 and Section 509 of IPC. 3. On completion of investigation, chargesheet is filed for the offence punishable under Section 66(E), 67 and 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2008 and Section 354, 204 and 509 of IPC. 4. In the FIR, it is alleged that the complainant is a member of T. Beguru Grama Panchayat and in respect of an incident which took place on 21.08.2023, wherein the petitioners abused her in filthy language and tried to assault her, she lodged a complaint before Nelamangala Rural Police Station on 22.08.2023 and a case was registered in Crime No.204/2023. The petitioner were pressurizing her to withdraw the case and since she had not withdrawn, they had morphed her photographs and - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:44412 CRL.P No. 14399 of 2025 circulated in facebook, whatsapp and other social media platforms. 5. A joint memo is filed by the petitioners and respondent No.2. It is stated that the petitioners as well as respondent No.2 are the members of Beguru Grama Panchayat, Nelamangala Taluk and they have resolved the dispute among themselves. Further, respondent No.2 is not interested in prosecuting the case further against the petitioners and she has no objection to quash the criminal proceedings pending before the trial Court. 6. Petitioners as well as respondent No.2 are present before the Court. They are identified by the respective learned counsel appearing for them. 7. Respondent No.2 submits that the joint memo is filed without any coercion, undue influence and she has no objection to quash the proceedings pending against the petitioners, in view of the settlement arrived. 8. Joint memo is placed on record. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:44412 CRL.P No. 14399 of 2025 9. The dispute is between the parties before this Court. A compromise has been entered into between them, wherein they have settled their differences amicably. Having perused the contents of the joint memo, it is clear that respondent No.2/defacto complainant has resolved the dispute without any pressure or coercion. In view of the settlement, no purpose will be served in continuing the criminal proceedings initiated against the petitioners. Hence, this Court is of the view that though the offences alleged are non-compoundable in nature, in view of the settlement, the inherent jurisdiction of this Court can be exercised to quash the proceedings. Accordingly, the following: ORDER Petition is allowed. The entire proceedings in C.C.No.9756/2025 arising out of Crime No.379/2023 of Bengaluru CEN Crime Police Station, pending on the file of the Court of Chief Judicial - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:44412 CRL.P No. 14399 of 2025 Magistrate, Bengaluru Rural District, Bengaluru are quashed. I.A.No.1/2025 is disposed of. Sd/- (MOHAMMAD NAWAZ) JUDGE HB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 49