- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31247 CRL.P No. 7620 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JUNE, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7620 OF 2026 BETWEEN: SRI GIRISH MATTENAVAR, S/O LATE SRI LOKNATH MATTENNAVAR, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, R/AT #69, 4TH CROSS, VIJAYANANDA NAGAR, DHARWARD, PIN CODE-580001. …PETITIONER (BY SRI RANGANATH REDDY R, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY DHARMASTHALA POLICE STATION, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDINGS, BENGALURU - 560001. 2. SRI G. SUBRAMANYA PRASAD, S/O KESHAV BHAT, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, RAJATHAGIRI, DHARMASTHALA VILLAGE, BELTHANGADY TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT. PIN CODE-574239. …RESPONDENTS Digitally signed by PADMAVATHI B K Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31247 CRL.P No. 7620 of 2026 (BY SRI B.N JAGADEESHA, SPP-I FOR R-1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS) TO QUASH THE FIR (ANNEXURE-A) IN CRIME NO.28/2026 REGISTERED BY DHARMASTHALA POLICE STATION, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT REGISTERED IN ADDL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, BELTHANGADY FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 353(2) OF BNS 2023 PENDING BEFORE THE COURT OF THE ADDL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC BELTHANGADY. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioner, accused is before this Court calling in question registration of a crime in Crime No.28/2026, pending before the Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Belthangady, for the offence under Section 353(2) of the BNS. 2. Heard Sri Ranganath Reddy R., learned counsel for petitioner and Sri B.N.Jagadeesha, learned State Public Prosecutor – 1 appearing for respondent No.1 – State. 3. Learned counsel for petitioner files an affidavit of undertaking of the petitioner indicating that the petitioner would maintain peace, harmony and good conduct. The affidavit of undertaking reads as follows: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31247 CRL.P No. 7620 of 2026 1. I am the petitioner in the above Criminal Petition and I am well acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case. Hence, I am competent to swear to this affidavit. 2. I submit that I have the highest regard for the rule of law and the judicial process and I have always endeavoured to act within the four corners of law. 3. I respectfully submit that I am a devotee of "Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala" and a firm believer in Lord Sri Manjunatha. I have immense faith in the spiritual values and traditions associated with "Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala" and I hold the institution and its devotees in the highest esteem and respect. 4. I further solemnly undertake before this Hon'ble Court that I shall not hereafter post, publish, circulate or share any material of the nature complained of in the present proceedings on Instagram or on any other social media platform or website. I assure this Hon'ble Court that I shall exercise utmost care, responsibility and restraint while using social media and shall refrain from making any post or publication which may give rise to similar allegations, controversies or incidents in future. 5. I respectfully submit that neither in the alleged social media posts forming the subject matter of the present proceedings, nor in any of my previous social media posts, nor during the course of public protests seeking justice for Soujanya and other victims of alleged offences in and around Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, have I ever made any derogatory remarks against Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, its sacred traditions or the presiding deity Lord Sri Manjunatha. My endeavour has always been limited to appealing to the police authorities, Government institutions and other competent agencies to conduct a fair, impartial and effective investigation so as to secure justice to the victims and their families. In the course of such efforts, I have only sought to express my concerns regarding the alleged destruction of evidence and the perceived derailment of investigations, with the sole object of ensuring that the actual perpetrators of the alleged heinous offences are identified and brought to justice. At no point of time was it my intention to disrespect, malign or cast any aspersion upon Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala or the deity, for whom I continue to hold the highest faith, reverence and devotion. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31247 CRL.P No. 7620 of 2026 6. I further submit that the issues raised by me in the past were only out of my quest for justice as perceived by me and not on account of any personal agenda, malice or ulterior motive. I have never intended to hurt the sentiments of any devotee or to lower the dignity and sanctity attached to Dharmasthala and Lord Sri Manjunatha. 7. I respectfully submit that it was never my intention to target or cast any aspersion upon "Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala” sacred traditions or the presiding deity Lord Sri Manjunatha. To the best of my understanding and belief the issues raised by me were not directed against "Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala" or the deity in any manner whatsoever. Being a devotee of Lord Sri Manjunatha myself, I hold "Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala" in the highest esteem and I have always cherished deep faith, reverence and respect towards the institution, its traditions and the deity. 8. I state that I have great respect for the sentiments of all devotees of "Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala" and I sincerely assure this Hon'ble Court that I shall hereafter conduct myself with utmost responsibility, restraint and circumspection and I shall not involve myself in any activity or course of action which may give rise to any such controversy or incident in future. 9. I further undertake that I shall maintain peace, harmony and respect towards all religious institutions and communities and shall abide by all laws of the land. 10. I submit that this affidavit is being filed voluntarily, with utmost respect to this Hon’ble Court and without prejudice to my rights and contentions in the above petition. 11. WHEREFORE, I respectfully pray that this Hon'ble Court may be pleased to take this affidavit of undertaking on record and pass such other order or orders as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the interest of justice and equity.” - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:31247 CRL.P No. 7620 of 2026 4. The affidavit of undertaking of the petitioner is taken on record and accepting the same, the criminal petition stands disposed and the impugned crime in Crime No.28/2026, pending before the Court of Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Belthangady, stands quashed. 5. It is made clear that in the event of breach of the undertaking given in the affidavit, the matter would be viewed seriously. Ordered accordingly. I.A.No.1/2026 also stands disposed, as a consequence. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE NVJ List No.: 2 Sl No.: 16