- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16181 OF 2025 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16186 OF 2025 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16985 OF 2025 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 17027 OF 2025 WRIT PETITION NO. 30700 OF 2025 (GM-RES) IN CRL.P No. 16181/2025: BETWEEN: MR. NAGARAJU M K S/O KUMARA, AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS, RESIDING AT MANTYA, HOLALAGUNDA POST, AMRUTHUR, TUMKUR, KARNATAKA-572 111. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. BIPIN HEGDE., ADVOCATE SRI.VIKRAM SIMHA.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KENGERI POLICE STATION, BANGALORE-560 060. REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT COMPLEX 2. MR. SATHISH KUMAR, S/O MR. SUBRAMANYA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, R/A. NO.643, NEAR VENKATESHWARA TEMPLE, PRAGATHIPURA, BANGALORE-560 070. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.B N JAGADEESHA., ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI.J N LOHITHA., ADVOCATE FOR R2) Digitally signed by SANJEEVINI J KARISHETTY Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS THIS CRL.P FILED U/S.482(FILED U/S.528 BNSS) CR.P.C PRAYING TO A. QUASH THE FIR DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.5 IN CRIME NO.444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE P/US/ 66(C),66(D) OF IT ACT 2000 U/S.318(4), 319(2), R/W SEC.3(5) OF BNS ACT 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE VI ADDL CJM, BENGALURU CITY, BENGALURU (ANNEXURE A) AND B. QUASH THE COMPLIANT DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.5 IN CRIME NO.444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE P/US/ 66(C),66(D) OF IT ACT 2000, U/S.318(4),319(2), R/W 3(5) OF BNS ACT 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE VI ADDL CJM BENGALURU CITY, BENGALURU (ANNEXURE B) AND ETC., IN CRL.P NO. 16186/2025: BETWEEN: MR. VISHNU VIJAY, S/O VIJAY, AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.1/20, WEST STREET SANDHU, THIYAGAI POST, KALLAKURICHI TALUK, VILUPPURAM, TAMIL NADU-606 206. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. BIPIN HEGDE., ADVOCATE SRI.VIKRAM SIMHA.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KENGERI POLICE STATION, BANGALORE-560 060. REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT COMPLEX BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. MR. SATISH KUMAR, S/O MR. SUBRAMANYA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS NEAR VENKATESHWARA DEVASTHANAM, PRAGATHIPURA, BANGALORE-560 070. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.B N JAGADEESHA.,ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI.J N LOHITHA.,ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNNS) PRAYING TO 1. QUASH THE FIR DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITIONER / ACCUSED NO.7 IN CR.NO.444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE P/U/S 66(C),66(D) OF I.T ACT 2000 UNDER SEC.318(4),319(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS ACT 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE VI A.C.J.M BENGALURU CITY, BENGALURU (ANNEXURE-A) AND ETC., IN CRL.P NO. 16985/2025: BETWEEN: MR. JAVEED FARAZ, S/O S M BASHA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.118, 5TH MAIN ROAD, GANGA NAGAR, R T NAGAR, BANGALORE NORTH, BANGALORE 560 032. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. BIPIN HEGDE., ADVOCATE SRI.VIKRAM SIMHA.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KENGERI POLICE STATION, BANGALORE 560 060. REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT COMPLEX, BENGALURU- 560 001. 2. MR SATISH KUMAR, S/O SUBRAMANYA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS R/AT NO.643, NEAR VENKATESWARA DEVASTANAM, PRAGATIPURA, BENGALURU 560 070. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.B N JAGADEESHA.,ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI.J N LOHITHA.,ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNNS) PRAYING TO 1. QUASH THE FIR DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.3 IN CR.NO.444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/S 66(C), 66(D) OF I.T ACT, 2000 UNDER SEC.318(4), 319(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS ACT, 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE VI A.C.J.M AT BENGALURU (ANNEXURE-A) AND 2. QUASH THE COMPLAINT DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.3 IN CR.NO.444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE P/U/S 66(C),66(D) OF I.T ACT 2000, UNDER SEC. 318(4), 319(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS ACT, 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE VI A.C.J.M AT BENGALURU (ANNEXURE-B) AND ETC. IN CRL.P NO. 17027/2025: BETWEEN: MR. SALMAN J, S/O JAMEEL BAIG, AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. C 082, SHOBHA MAGNOLIA APT, BANNARUGHATTA MAIN ROAD, GURUPPANA PALYA, BANGALORE 560 029. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. BIPIN HEGDE., ADVOCATE SRI. BHANUPRIYA., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY KENGERI POLICE STATION, BANGALORE 560 060. REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. MR. SATHISH KUMAR S/O SUBRAMANYA, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, R/AT 643, NEAR VENKATESHWARA DEVASTHANAM, PRAGATIPURA, BENGALURU 560 070. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.B N JAGADEESHA., ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI.J N LOHITHA., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNNS) PRAYING TO A. QUASH THE FIR DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.2 IN CRIME NO.0444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/S 66(C), 66(D) OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000, U/S 318(4), 319(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS ACT, 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE VI ADDL.CJM, BENGALURU CITY BENGALURU (ANNEXURE-A) AND B. QUASH THE COMPLAINT DATED 11.09.2025 AGAINST THE PETITINERS/ACCUSED NO.2 IN CRIME NO.0444/2025 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/S 66(C), 66(D) OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000, U/S 318(4), 319(2) R/W 3(5) OF BNS ACT, 2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HONBLE VI ADDL. CJM, BENGALURU CITY BENGALURU (ANNEXURE-B) AND ETC., IN WP NO. 30700/2025: BETWEEN: ANSHULA PARWAL AGED ABOUT 35 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO.48, J.P.NAGAR, 1ST PHASE, 9TH CROSS ROAD, JEEVAN SAKTHI COLONY, BANGALORE - 560 078. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. BIPIN HEGDE., ADVOCATE FOR - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS SRI. VIKRAM SIMHA.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY STATION HOUSE OFFICER KENGERI POLICE STATION, BENGALURU. 2. SATISH KUMAR AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, R/O NO. 643, NEAR VENKATESHWARA TEMPLE, PRAGATHIPURA, BENGALURU - 560 070. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.B N JAGADEESHA.,ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI.J N LOHITHA., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 528 OF BNSS, 2023, PRAYING TO A. ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION OF APPROPRIATE NATURE QUASHING THE REGISTRATION OF THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORT AND ALL FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THE CASE IN CRIME NO. 444 OF 2025 REGISTERED AT KENGERI POLICE STATION, BENGALURU, AS AGAINST THE PETITIONER HEREIN WHO IS ARRAIGNED AS ACCUSED NO.1 FOR THE ALLEGED COMMISSION OF AN OFFENCE WHICH IS MADE PENAL UNDER SECTIONS 66(C), 66(D) OF THE IT ACT, 2000 AND UNDER SECTIONS 318(4) R/W 3(5), 319(2) OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023 WHICH IS PRODUCED AANNEXURE -A AND ETC., THESE PETITIONS COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER In CRL.P.No.16181/2025, the petitioner is before this court seeking the following prayers: "a. Quash the FIR dated 11.09.2025 against the petitioners/accused No.5 in Crime No.444/2025 for the alleged offence punishable under sections 66(C),66(D) of information technology act, 2000 under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Bengaluru city, Bengaluru (Annexure- A); b) Quash the Complaint dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioners/accused No.5 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-B); c) Quash the entire proceedings against the petitioner/accused No.5 in crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-C); d) Grant such other relief as this Hon'ble court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 2. In CRL.P.No.16186/2025, the petitioner is before this court seeking the following prayers: - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS "a) Quash the FIR dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioner/accused No.7 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru.(Annexure-A); b) Quash the Complaint dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioner/accused No.7 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act,2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-B); c) Quash the entire proceedings against the petitioner/accused No.7 in crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act,2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-C); d) Grant such other relief as this Hon'ble court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 3. In CRL.P.No.16985/2025, the petitioner is before this court seeking the following prayers: "a) Quash the FIR dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioners/accused No.3 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru.(Annexure-A); b) Quash the Complaint dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioners/accused No.3 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-B); c) Quash the entire proceedings against the petitioner/accused No.3 in crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-C); d) Grant such other relief as this Hon'ble court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 4. In CRL.P.No.17027/2025, the petitioner is before this court seeking the following prayers: "a) Quash the FIR dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioner/accused No.2 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru.(Annexure-A); b) Quash the Complaint dated 11.09.2025 against the Petitioners/accused No.2 in Crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act, 2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-B); c) Quash the entire proceedings against the petitioner/accused No.2 in crime No.0444/2025 for the alleged offences punishable under sections 66(C), 66(D) of information technology act, 2000, under sections 318(4), 319(2), R/w 3(5) of BNS act,2023 pending on the file of the Hon'ble VI Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru city, Bengaluru. (Annexure-C); - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS d) Grant such other relief as this Hon'ble court deems fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity." 5. In WP No.30700/2025, the petitioner is before this court seeking the following prayers: "a. Issue a Writ, Order or Direction of appropriate nature quashing the registration of the First Information Report and all further investigation in the case in Crime No. 444 of 2025 registered at Kengeri Police Station, Bengaluru, as against the Petitioner herein who is arraigned as Accused No.1 for the alleged commission of an offence which is made penal under Sections 66(C), 66(D) of the IT Act, 2000 and under Sections 318(4) r/w 3(5), 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 which is produced ANNEXURE -"A"; AND/OR b. Pass such other Order/s as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the ends of justice." 6. Heard Sri.Bipin Hegde, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Sri.B.N.Jagadeesha, learned Addl. SPP appearing for respondent No.1, Sri.J.N.Lohitha, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2 and have perused the material on record. 7. During the pendency of the proceedings, the respondent No.2 and the victim to the lis have settled the dispute among themselves and have filed a Memo for Settlement. The Memo for Settlement reads as follows: - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS “MEMO FOR SETTLEMENT The above-mentioned Petition has arisen out of the Crime bearing FIR No. 0444/2025 registered before the Kengeri Police station for the alleged offences punishable under sec 66(c), 66(d) of IT Act 2000, sec 318(4), 319(2), 3(5), 112 and 61 of BNS 2023, on the basis of complaint dated 11.09.2025 lodged by Mr. Satheesh Kumar/Complainant. It hereby most respectfully submits that before this Hon'ble court the second respondent/complainant, alleged victim and petitioners/Accused Nos.1 to 3, 5 and 7 are settled their dispute out of the court amicably between them. Hence, in the view of this settlement memo, kindly may dispose the above-mentioned petitions and quash the impugned crime bearing FIR No.0444/2025 registered against petitioners/Accused Nos.1 to 3, 5 and 7 and the same may be accepted in the interest of justice.” 8. The parties to the lis are present before this Court and are identified by their respective counsels. In the light of Memo for Settlement and offences not being against the State, I deem it appropriate to accept the Memo for Settlement and terminate the proceedings against the petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 3, 5 and 7 in the subject petitions. 9. For the aforesaid reasons, the following: ORDER [I] *The Petitions are disposed. [II] Proceedings in Crime No.444/2025 pending before the VI Addl. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru *Corrected vide chamber order dated 17.03.2026 - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:15004 CRL.P No. 16181 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 16186 of 2025 CRL.P No. 16985 of 2025 AND 2 OTHERS City, Bengaluru, stands quashed qua the petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 3, 5 and 7. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE CBC List No.: 3 Sl No.: 0