- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7918 WP No.33634/2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD WRIT PETITION NO.33634/2025 (GM-POLICE) BETWEEN: SMT LAKSHMIDEVAMMA W/O LATE T.C. RANGAIAH AGED ABOUT 75 YEARS R/AT NO.585, 6TH A MAIN ROAD 3RD PHASE, 3RD BLOCK BASAVESHWARANAGAR BENGALURU - 560 079 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. RAJATH ARIGA, ADVOCATE) AND: STATE OF KARNATAKA BASAVESHWARANAGARA POLICE STATION Digitally signed by VANAMALA N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7918 WP No.33634/2025 REPRESENTED BY SPP HIGH COURT OF BUILDING BENGALURU-560001 …RESPONDENT (BY SMT.SARITHA KULKARNI, AGA) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENT-BASAVESHWARA NAGAR POLICE TO COMPLETE INVESTIGATION AND FILE A FINAL REPORT IN CRIME NO.116/2023 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.3522/2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE V ADDL.CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU VIDE ANNEXURE - A. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B M SHYAM PRASAD - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7918 WP No.33634/2025 ORAL ORDER The petitioner, who is a septuagenarian, seeks directions to the respondent to complete investigation in Crime No.116/2023 which is registered on a reference by the learned Magistrate in PCR No.3522/2023 on the file of the fifth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru. Mr. Rajath Ariga, the learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mrs.Saritha Kulkarni, the learned Additional Government Advocate who is called upon to accept notice for the respondent, are heard in the light of the petitioner's case as stated in paragraph 12 of the Memorandum of Writ Petition which reads as under: "12. It is settled position of law that the trial court can invoke powers under Section 156(3) of Cr.P.C. to ensure investigation is expeditious and can pass appropriate directions where the investigation appears to be procrastinated to the prejudice of the complainant and would have the effect of derailing the investigation. The Trial Court can upon application filed or otherwise seek a - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:7918 WP No.33634/2025 report from the concerned authority as regards the delay in investigation." This Court, with the petitioner acknowledging that an application could be filed under 156(3) of Cr.P.C./Section 175 of BNSS 2023 in the pending proceedings, is not persuaded to issue directions and concludes that the petition must be disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to file an application in the pending proceedings. The petition stands disposed of accordingly. SD/- (B M SHYAM PRASAD) JUDGE SA List No.: 1 Sl No.: 2