- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25946 CRL.A No. 177 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 177 OF 2026 (C) BETWEEN: SAMANDAIAH @ SAVANTHIGE S/O LATE DADI ERAIAH, AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, R/AT. TALAGAVADI VILLAGE, MALVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DISRTICT – 571 430. PERMANENT ADDRESS K.BYADARAHALLI VILLAGE, KUNIGAL TALUK, TUMAKUARU DISTRICT – 572 123. …APPELLANT (BY SMT. RAKSHA R KEERTHANA., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY MALAVALLI RURAL POLICE STATION, BENGALURU, REP BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT COMPLEX, BANGALORE - 560 001. Digitally signed by SUSHMA LAKSHMI B S Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25946 CRL.A No. 177 of 2026 2. HANUMAMMA W/O RAMANNA, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, TALAVADI VILLAGE, MALAVALLI TALUK, MANDYA DIST – 571 430. …RESPONDENTS (BY Ms. ASMA KOUSER., ADDL. SPP FOR R1 R2 IS SERVED AND UNREPRESENTED) ---- THIS CRL.A FILED U/S 374(2) CR.PC (FILED U/S 415(2) BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE APPELLANT PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION DATED 23.12.2025 AND SENTENCED DATED 26.12.2025 PASSED BY THE HON’BLE ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, FTSC-1 MANDYA, IN SPL.C.NO.11/2025, FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 127(2) U/S 8 OF POCSO ACT AND ACQUIT THE APPELLANT. THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR HEARING, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:25946 CRL.A No. 177 of 2026 ORAL JUDGMENT Learned counsel for the appellant submits that the appellant has died and has produced the death certificate of the appellant. The same is taken on record. 2. Considering the same, the appeal stands disposed off as abated. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE NR/- List No.: 1 Sl No.: 52