- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:49480 CRL.P No. 12189 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 28TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 12189 OF 2023 BETWEEN: 1. MR. SADANAND HEGDE S/O LATE GANAPATI HEGDE, AGED ABOUT 68 YEARS, NO.16, OPP.KOPPAGATE, NANDANAVANA LAYOUT, PAVAMANA EXTENSION, MAHANTHA LINGAPURA, BANNERGHATTA, BANGALORE- 560 083. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. PARAMESHWAR N.HEGDE, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE BY K.R. PURA POLICE REPRESENTED BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BANGALORE-01. 2. MR. YOGESH G.M, S/O MUNIRAJU, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:49480 CRL.P No. 12189 of 2023 MANAGER, BANK OF INDIA, SILICON CITY COLLEGE BRANCH, K.R. PURA, BANGALORE-036. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. VINAY MAHADEVAIAH, HCGP FOR R1; R2- SERVED) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.2322/2019 (ANNEXURE-A) REGISTERED FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 406, 408, 409, 418, 420, 120B, READ WITH 34 OF INDIAN PENAL CODE, PENDING ON THE FILE OF III ADDITIONAL CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE AT BANGALORE. THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR FURTHER HEARING THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING / PHYSICAL HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.I.ARUN - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:49480 CRL.P No. 12189 of 2023 ORAL ORDER The petitioner was a manager of the Bank of India, Silicon City College Branch. In the course of his work, he had advanced certain gold loans to some of the bank customers and as security, gold was pledged. The borrowers committed default. The bank sought to recover the dues by bringing the pledged gold to sale. At that time, it was found that the gold pledged was spurious and was of no value. Hence, a complaint was lodged by the bank, which culminated in C.C.No.2322/2019, pending on the file of III Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bangalore, wherein the petitioner herein has been arrayed as accused No.3. The case of the petitioner is that the entire fault lies with the appraiser, who is required to evaluate the value of the pledged gold and certify the same. Based on the said certification, the petitioner sanctions the loan amount and disburses the same in favour of the borrowers. It is submitted that the petitioner has no part in appraising the value of the gold. It is also - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:49480 CRL.P No. 12189 of 2023 submitted that he has not connived with the appraiser or any other person to defraud the bank. It is also submitted that subsequent to the incident, disciplinary proceedings also has been conducted against the petitioner and that he has been exonerated honorably. For the said reasons, it is prayed that the proceedings in C.C.No.2322/2019 be quashed against the petitioner. 2. The complainant, though served, has remained unrepresented. However, the learned High Court Government Pleader, upon instructions, submits that he has taken the necessary instruction from the jurisdictional police as well as respondent No.2-complainant and submits that the submission made by the petitioner are true. 3. As there is no contest from the State or the complainant and as it is submitted by all the persons concerned that the aforementioned submissions of the petitioner is true, the proceedings in C.C.No.2322/2019 is - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:49480 CRL.P No. 12189 of 2023 liable to be quashed, insofar as it relates to the petitioner herein is concerned. Hence the following: ORDER i. The petition is hereby allowed. ii. The proceedings in C.C.No.2322/2019, pending on the file of III Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bangalore, stand quashed, insofar as it relates to the petitioner herein is concerned. Sd/- (M.I.ARUN) JUDGE CH List No.: 1 Sl No.: 11