- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38471 CRL.P No. 12245 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 12245 OF 2025 (482(Cr.PC) / 528(BNSS)) BETWEEN: MR SHANKAR S S/O SATHYANARAYANA, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, R/A NEAR MASLIM CEMETRY BYPASS ROAD, SHIDLAGATTA TOWN, CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT-562 105 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. NARASIMHA RAJESH K S.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE BY KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA P S REPRESENTED BY ITS SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT KARNATAKA BANGALORE - 560001. 2. MR. BHASKAR V S S/O SRINIVAS, AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS, R/AT DOOR NO.25, LAKSHMAYA GARDEN, AGRAHARAYELAHANKA BENGALURU - 64 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.LETHIF, ADVOCATE) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS) PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38471 CRL.P No. 12245 of 2025 PENDING BEFORE THE LEARNED XXIII ADDL.CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE AND SPECIAL JUDGE FOR PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT AT BENGALURU CITY (CCH-24) IN SPL.CC NO.2093/2024, CHARGED FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/S 12 OF PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT 1988 REGISTERED ON THE BASIS OF CRIME NO.02/2020 REGISTERED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT POLICE ATTACHED TO KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA BENGALURU CITY DIVISION BENGALURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER This petition is filed seeking the quashing of proceedings pending in Spl.C.C.No.2093/2024 for the offence punishable under Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. 2. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent – Lokayukta, referring to the records, submitted that the discharge application filed by the petitioner had already been rejected by the Court below vide order dated 09.04.2025. It was further pointed out that the trial in the case has commenced, with the complainant having been - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38471 CRL.P No. 12245 of 2025 examined and two official witnesses having already testified. In light of these developments, it was argued that no indulgence in the nature of quashing the proceedings can be granted at this stage. 3. Upon perusal of the charge sheet, the materials on record, and the order sheets, this Court finds considerable force in the submissions made by the learned counsel for the respondent – Lokayukta. The trial has progressed beyond the initial stage, with both the complainant and official witnesses having given their testimony. In these circumstances, the present petition appears to be a belated and feeble attempt to prematurely seek quashing of the proceedings. Considering the stage of the trial and the nature of the allegations, this Court is not inclined to grant any indulgence to the petitioner in respect of the offence alleged under Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:38471 CRL.P No. 12245 of 2025 4. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case, the petition is accordingly dismissed. Sd/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE TIN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 46