- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26266 CRL.P No. 11640 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 11640 OF 2025 BETWEEN: SRI JANARDHANAIAH S/O RANGAIAH, AGED ABOUT 78 YEARS, R/AT DOOR NO. 436, 12TH CROSS, KUVEMPUNAGAR 1ST STAGE HASSAN - 573 201 …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VINAYAKA S. PANDIT, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA ARAKALGUD PS, REP BY SPP HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. SRI C P KUTTAPPA DISTRICT TREASURY OFFICER DISTRICT TREASURY HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. RASHMI PATEL, HCGP FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482(FILED U/S.528 BNSS) CR.P.C BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING Digitally signed by SANJEEVINI J KARISHETTY Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26266 CRL.P No. 11640 of 2025 THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.19/2010 ON THE FILE OF THE HONBLE CJ AND JMFC ARAKALGUD FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE P/U/S/ 403,409,468,417 R/W SEC.34 OF IPC 1860 AGAINST THE PETITIONER. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER Heard Sri. Vinayaka S. Pandit, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Smt. Rashmi Patel, learned HCGP appearing for the respondents and have perused the material on record. 2. The petitioner is before this Court, seeking the following prayer: "WHEREFORE, the Petitioner humbly prays that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to quash the entire proceedings in C.C. No.19/2010 on the file of Hon'ble C.J. and J.M.F.C., Arakalgud for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 403, 409, 468 and 417 r/w Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, against the Petitioner, in the interest of justice and equity." - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26266 CRL.P No. 11640 of 2025 3. Though the entire proceedings are called in question, the charges have been framed long ago and the trial is in progress before the concerned Court, as the issue is 16 years old today. 4. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would now submit that there is no progress in the proceedings, as there are about 131 witnesses to be examined and the Court is proceeding in a snail's pace. Learned counsel submits that the petitioner is now an octogenarian and cannot be seen to be attending the Court proceedings throughout for examination of 131 witnesses. 5. In that light, I deem it appropriate to infuse finality into the proceedings by directing the concerned Court to conclude the proceedings within an outer limit of nine (9) months from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. 6. Insofar as the petitioner is concerned, unless situation warranted, the Court specifically directs that the petitioner is exempted from appearance before the concerned Court. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:26266 CRL.P No. 11640 of 2025 Ordered accordingly. With the aforesaid observations, the petition stands disposed. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE SJK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 8