- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 102448 OF 2024 (482(Cr.PC)/528(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. RAJU @ YALLAPPA S/O. IRANNA KHANAPPANAVAR AGE. 40 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. HALBIDDI ONI, GADAG-582101. 2. MAHESH S/O. NARAYAN ROKHADE AGE.42 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. OKKALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. 3. RAJANNA S/O. BASANNA MALKADAR AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. VENKATESH TALKIES ROAD, GADAG-582101. 4. AJJANNA @ DUNDAPPA S/O. VEERANNA MALKADAR AGE. 56 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. NEAR VENKATESH TALKIES, GADAG-582101. 5. SUNIL S/O. VASANTSA KABADE @ KABADI AGE. 41 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. NEAR J.C. SCHOOL, MULGUND ROAD, GADAG-582101. 6. RAJU @ MUTTURAJ RAJSHEKHAR S/O BASAVRAJ MUDHOL, AGE. 42 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. VIVEKANAD NAGAR, GADAG-582101 7. APPU ALIAS MARUTI S/O KALAKAPPA DUNDASI AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/AT. KHANTOT, NAGALINGANAGAR, GADAG-582101. Digitally signed by B K MAHENDRAKUMAR Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA DHARWAD BENCH Date: 2025.01.21 09:48:57 +0530 - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 8. MAHANTESH S/O SHANKARGOUDA PATIL AGE. 29 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/AT. BETAGERI, KURAHATTI PETHE, KHANTOT, GADAG-582101. 9. KUMAR S/O SHEKHAPPA KOTI AGE. 27 YEARS, OCC. KIRANI BUSINESS, R/AT. NALVADGALLI, GADAG-582101. 10. RAGHUVENDRA @ RAGHU S/O ISHWARSA PAWAR AGE. 29 YEARS, OCC. DECORATOR, R/AT. NEAR RANGAPAJJAN MATHA, KHANTOT, GADAG-582101. 11. HULAGAPPA S/O PARASAPPA VALMIKI AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. KHANTOT, JANATA COLONY, GADAG-582101. 12. IRANNA S/O SHIVALINGAPPA GANIGER AGE. 24 YEARS, OCC. ATTENDER, R/AT. NEAR KHANSAB GHORI, KHANTOT, GADAG-582101. 13. FAKIRSA S/O BABASA BHANDAGE AGE. 46 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. PATTANSHATTI LAYOUT, KESHAV NAGAR, GADAG-582101. 14. ADARSHA S/O RAGHUVENDRADAS PUNEKAR AGE. 31 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/AT. NEAR SOMSHEKHAR TEMPLE, GADAG-582101. 15. ANIL S/O. SHARANAPPA MULLAL AGE. 25 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/AT. NEAR JUMMA MASIDI, GADAG-582101. 16. RAJU S/O. SIDDAPPA GADDI AGE. 34 YEARS, OCC. AGENT, R/AT. OCCALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. - 3 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 17. HARISH S/O. PARASHURAM KAMBAR AGE. 33 YEARS, OCC. PRIVATE JOB, R/AT. NALVADAVAR ONI, GADAG-582101. 18. VEERESH S/O. PARAPPA MANVI AGE. 29 YEARS, OCC. FURNITURE VYAPAR, R/AT . MANVIYAVAR ONI, RACHOTESHWAR TEMPLE, GADAG-582101. 19. ESHWAR S/O KRISHNASA KATWA AGE. 30 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. KHANTOT, GADAG-582101. 20. BASAVRAJ S/O HANAMANTAPPA KURTKOTI AGE. 32 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. KHANTOT, NAGALINGA NAGAR, GADAG-582101. 21. PARASHURAM S/O MALLAPPA AADIN AGE. 29 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. KHANTOT, GADAG-582101. 22. SUNIL S/O SHANKAR MULLAL AGE. 29 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. NEAR JUMMAMASUDI, GADAG-582101. 23. RAKESH S/O RAJENDRAKUMAR NAVALGUND AGE. 25 YEARS, OCC. PRIVATE JOB, R/AT. NARIBHAVI ONI, GADAG-582101. 24. SACHIN S/O SHANKAR MALKADAR AGE. 25 YEARS, OCC. HOTEL JOB R/AT. NEAR VENKATESH TALKIES, GADAG-582101. 25. RAHUL S/O SHANKAR MALKADAR AGE. 26 YEARS, OCC. HOTEL JOB, R/AT. NEAR VENKATESH TALKIES, GADAG-582101. - 4 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 26. KUMAR S/O LAKSHMAVVA NADAGERI AGE. 28 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/AT. HOMBAL NAKA, JANATA COLONY, GADAG-582101. 27. RAHUL S/O MANJUNATH SUNGANDHI AGE. 23 YEARS, OCC. KIRANI BUSINESS, R/AT. HUDKO COLONY, NEAR CHIDANAND MATH, GADAG-582101. 28. VENKATESH S/O ISHWARSA PAWAR AGE. 23 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. NEAR RANGAPPAJJA MATHA, BETAGERI GADAG-582101. 29. ASHOK S/O SHIVAPUTRAPPA BHAJANTRI AGE. 25 YEARS, OCC. AUTO DRIVER, R/AT. SHIVAJI NAGAR, BETAGERI, GADAG-582101. 30. SANJU S/O MANJUNATH SUGANDHI AGE. 24 YEARS, OCC. AUTO DRIVER, R/AT. KANAVI PLOT, MANJUNATH NAGAR, BETAGERI, GADAG-582101. 31. SANJU @ SANJEEV S/O MAHADEV SURYAVANSHI AGE. 34 YEARS, OCC. WORKER, R/AT. TEGGINLOT, GADAG-582101 32. SURESH S/O SHANKARAPPA KOTBAL AGE. 40 YEARS, OCC. TEA SELLER, R/AT. VIBHOOTI ONI, GADAG-582101. 33. RAVI S/O MARUTI MUKKANNAVAR AGE. 23 YEARS, OCC. FINANCE WORK, R/AT. KHANTOT, GADAG-582101. 34. SUNIL S/O TAMMANNA BARKER AGE. 31 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/AT. JAVAL GALLI, GADAG-582101. 35. CHANDRU S/O SHARANAYYA HUCHAYANMATH AGE. 30 YEARS, OCC. R/AT. HUDKO COLONY, - 5 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 GADAG-582101. 36. RAGHU @ RAGHUVENDRA S/O MUTTAPPA ALUR AGE. 26 YEARS, OCC. DRIVER JOB R/AT NEAR HUNATEMMAN TEMPLE, GOUDRA ONI, GADAG-582101. 37. BOODESH @ BOODAPPA KURLHALLI AGE. 39 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/AT. OCCALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. 38. HANAMANTHSA @ BUDDA S/O. SURESH KALABURGI AGE. 40 YEARS, OCC. SHAMIYANA BUSINESS, R/AT. KHANTOT, NAGALINGANAGAR, GADAG-582101. 39. SATISH S/O RAMESH KUMBAR AGE. 26 YEARS, OCC. GANAPATI IDOL MAKER R/AT. OCCALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. 40. SAGAR S/O SIDDAPPA MALKADAD AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. NEAR VENKATESH TALKIES, GADAG-582101. 41. ARUN S/O KRISHNAPPA MARATHI AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. GOLDSMITH, R/AT. SUNNADBATTI HOBLI ROAD, GADAG-582101. 42. SAGAR S/O SHIVU @ SURESH KOPPAL AGE. 28 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/AT. H.NO. 24, GANGIMADI LIDAKAR COLONY, GADAG-582101. 43. HARISH S/O. VEERAPPA HOSAMANI AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. VODKA SELLER, R/AT. SIDHARTH NAGAR, SAMBHAPUR ROAD, GADAG-582101. - 6 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 44. KISHOR S/O VITHAL SIDDI AGE. 29 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS R/AT MODICARE ONI, RAJIV GANDHI NAGAR, GADAG-582101 45. ADARSH S/O RAMESH KUNDARGI AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. TAGOR ROAD, GADAG-582101. 46. ASHOK S/O HULAGAPPA CHIMMALAGI AGE. 28 YEARS, OCC. AUTO DRIVER, R/AT. MODICARE ONI, RAJIV GANDHI NAGAR, GADAG-582101. 47. HANUMATH S/O PHAKIRAPPA CHIMMALGI AGE. 33 YEARS, OCC. AUTO DRIVER, R/AT. MODICARE ONI, RAJIV GANDHI NAGAR, GADAG-582101. 48. VEERUPAAKSHAPPA S/O MANAPPA HEBBALLI AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTUR, R/AT . OCCALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. 49. JAGADEESH S/O SOMAPPA PUJARI AGE. 35 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. RAJIV GANDHI NAGAR, GADAG-582101. 50. SIDDAGOUDA @ SIDDRAMGOUDA S/O VEERUPAKSHGOUDA JEEVANGOUDRA, AGE. 51 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. NEAR NO. 3 SCHOOL, OCCALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. 51. NARASAPPA S/O BASSAPPA TUKKAPANNAVAR AGE. 67 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/AT. OCCALGERI ONI, GADAG-582101. 52. PARASHURAM S/O SHANKARASA KHATVATE AGE. 40 YEARS, OCC. GOLDSMITH, R/AT. KESHAV NAGAR, GADAG-582101. - 7 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 53. SAHADEV S/O RAMCHANDRA GANACHARI AGE. 62 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/AT. NEAR J.T COLLEGE, BEHIND GANAPATI TEMPLE, GADAG-582101. 54. MURIGEPPA S/O BASAPPA KARUGAL AGE. 60 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/AT. NEAR SAI BABA TEMPLE, OLD SARAF BAZAR, GADAG-582101. 55. MANJANNA BELLERI AGE. 58 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/AT. HAALKERI MATHAD RD, GADAG- 582101. 56. DASHRATH JADHAV AGE. 55 YEARS, OCC. GOLDSMITH, R/AT. NEAR CHOUDIKOT, GADAG-582101. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. GOURI SHANKAR MOT, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA GADAG TOWN POLICE STATION, DHARWAD REP BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH, AT. DHARWAD. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. ASHOK T. KATTIMANI, ADDL. GOVT. ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.P.C., SEEKING TO QUASH THE COGNIZANCE DATED 21.12.2023 AND FURTHER PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE ACCUSED NO.1 TO 4, 6, 8, 9,11 TO 34, 37 TO 41, 44, 45, 47 TO 49, 51, 53, 56, 58 TO 60, 63, 64, 66, 67, 69 TO 73/PETITIONERS AS INITIATED BY GADAG TOWN POLICE STATION IN CRIME NO.20/2022 PENDING BEFORE THE 1ST ADDL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC I COURT, AT GADAG IN CC NO.2998/2023 FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE U/S 51 OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2005 AND U/S 188, 269, 268 OF IPC. - 8 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR ORAL ORDER 1. The petitioners have been charge-sheeted for the offences punishable under Sections 268, 269, and 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) read with Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 2. The case of the prosecution is that on 19.02.2022, the petitioners were celebrating Chatrapati Shivaji Jayanti during the Covid-19 pandemic in violation of the order passed by the Deputy Commissioner. 3. Heard the learned Senior Counsel Sri. Sandesh J. Chouta, representing the petitioners, and the learned Additional Government Advocate for the respondent/State. 4. Admittedly, no material has been placed along with the charge sheet to substantiate that the petitioners were infected with the Covid-19 virus and had acted negligently or unlawfully in a manner likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, so as to constitute an offence under Sections 268 and 269 of the IPC. 5. Section 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 specifies that no Court shall take cognizance of an offence under this Act except on a complaint made by an Authority as - 9 - NC: 2025:KHC-D:673 CRL.P No. 102448 of 2024 enumerated in Clause (a) or by any person as enumerated in Clause (b) of the said Act. In other words, cognizance of an offence punishable under this Act can only be taken based on a private complaint filed by the Authority/person as specified in Section 60 of the Act. The cognizance taken on the basis of a final report submitted by the police is without the authority of law. Therefore, the continuation of criminal proceedings against the petitioners would amount to an abuse of process of law. 6. Accordingly, the petition is allowed. The impugned proceedings in CC No.2988/2023 pending on the file of I Addl. Civil Judge and JMFC-I Court, Gadag, insofar as petitioners are concerned, are hereby quashed. Sd/- (HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR) JUDGE JTR Ct:vh List No.: 3 Sl No.: 9