- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35833 CRL.P No. 3820 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 14TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 3820 OF 2026 BETWEEN: PANDURANGA JADHAV S/O SIDDU JADHAV AGED ABOUT 22 YEARS OCCUPATION: PRIVATE COMPANY EMPLOYEE R/O. KAKHANDAKI VILLAGE, TALUK BABALESHWAR DISTRICT, VIJAYAPUR – 586 113. …PETITIONER (BY SRI SHIVSHANKER, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY S.H.O YELAHANKA NEW TOWN P.S. BENGALURU CITY – 560 001. REPRESENTED BY S.P.P HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU – 560 001. 2. MRS. NEELAVATI W/O REVANASIDDAPPA AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, Digitally signed by PADMAVATHI B K Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35833 CRL.P No. 3820 of 2026 C/O RENTED HOUSE OF HANUMANTARAY, 9TH CROSS, ATTUR LAYOUT, YELAHANKA SUB-DIVISION, BENGALURU – 560 064. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R-1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 528 BNSS PRAYING TO QUASH THE SPL.CASE NO.852 ARISING OUT OF CR.NO.16/2026 REGISTERED BY THE YELAHANKA NEW TOWN P.S., FOR THE O/P/U/S 137(2), 64(2)(M), 65(1) OF THE BNS 2023 AND SEC. 5(1) AND 6 OF THE POCSO ACT, 2012, WHICH IS PRESENTLY PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LEARNED ADDL. CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE, (FTSC-IV) BENGALURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER Petitioner is before the Court seeking the following prayer: “a) Quash the SPL Case No. 852 arising out of Crime No. 16 of 2026 registered by Yelahanka New Town Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 137(2), 64(2)(M), 65(1) of the BNS, 2023 and Sections 5(1) and 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, which is presently pending on the file of the - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35833 CRL.P No. 3820 of 2026 Learned Addl. City Civil and Sessions Judge (FTSC- IV), Bengaluru; b) In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, and in order to secure the ends of justice, be pleased to exercise the inherent powers of this Hon'ble Court under Section 528 of BNSS, and pass appropriate orders, including such directions as this Hon'ble Court deems fit and proper, in accordance with law; c) Pass such other order or orders as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit, just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity.” 2. Heard Sri Shivshanker, learned counsel appearing for petitioners and Smt Waheeda M. M., learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent No.1. 3. The petitioner is the sole accused in a proceeding that has sprung from an affair between the victim and the petitioner that has become the ingredients of offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act), inter alia. At the time of the incident, the victim was 16 years old and is now 16 years and 6 months. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35833 CRL.P No. 3820 of 2026 4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the matter has to be settled, as the petitioner who is now 22 years old, is wanting to marry the victim who is yet to attain the age of 18 years and seeks an order of the Court of quashment of the proceedings, on the score of such settlement and the proposed marriage that the petitioner wants to undertake after the girl attains the age of 18 years. 5. It is too early in the day for this Court to direct quashment of the proceedings on an undertaking that the petitioner would get married to the victim after 2 years. The only relief that can be granted today is expeditious conclusion of the trial against the petitioner which is now pending before the concerned Court. 6. Since it is an issue arising out of the POCSO Act, I deem it appropriate to direct the concerned Court to dispose the subject proceeding within an outer limit of 3 months from the date of receipt of the copy of the order, in accordance with law. With the aforesaid observations, petition stands disposed. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:35833 CRL.P No. 3820 of 2026 Consequently, I.A.No.1 of 2026 stands disposed. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE BKP List No.: 1 Sl No.: 61