- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010554382019 NC: 2026:KHC:37910 CRL.P No. 662 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI V HOSMANI CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 662 OF 2020 BETWEEN: 1. THE CHIEF EDITOR KARNATAKA TV9 CHANNEL NO.13/1, RHENIUS STREET, RICHMOND TOWN, BANGALORE - 560 025. REP BY RAJESH RAO, EDITOR. 2. SRI RAMESH AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS S/O MAHADEVAIAH, REPORTER, KARNATAKA TV9 CHANNEL, NO.13/1, RHENIUS STREET, RICHMOND TOWN, BANGALORE - 560 025. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI CYRIL PRASAD PAIS, ADVOCATE) AND: SRI G S BHAT AGED ABOUT 82 YEARS, S/O LATE SHANKAR BHAT, RESIDING AT NO.1131, 8TH B MAIN, 2ND CROSS, BTM LAYOUT 1ST STAGE, BANGALORE - 560 029. …RESPONDENT [BY SRI M.MADHVACHAR, ADVOCATE (AB)] Digitally signed by ANUSHA V Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010554382019 NC: 2026:KHC:37910 CRL.P No. 662 of 2020 THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH COMPLAINT DATED 25.10.2010 AGAINST PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.7171/2012 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.38609/2010, ON THE FILE OF THE VI ADDITIONAL CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE COURT AT BENGALURU A COPY OF WHICH IS AT ANNEXURE-A AND ETC., THIS PETITION IS COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI V HOSMANI ORAL ORDER Challenging order dated 25.10.2010 passed by VI ACMM, Bengaluru, in CC no.7171/2012 in pursuance of PCR no.38609/2010 filed by respondent (complainant) for offences punishable under Sections 500, 501 and 502 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), this petition is filed. 2. Sri Cyril Prasad Pias, learned counsel for petitioners submitted that petitioners herein were arraigned as accused no.1 and 2 in complaint filed by respondent. It was submitted, even in complaint, allegations were mainly against accused no.3 and 4 in television program telecast by Karnataka TV9 channel. It was submitted, challenging order taking cognizance, Crl.P.no.3666/2012 c/w Crl.P.no.3287/2012 were filed by accused no.3 and 4 were allowed by order dated 16.08.2018 by quashing proceedings on ground that order taking cognizance - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010554382019 NC: 2026:KHC:37910 CRL.P No. 662 of 2020 was illegal as well as statements made by accused no.3 and 4 would not constitute offence of defamation. Said finding would enure to petitioners herein also and sought for quashing proceedings. 3. Besides incident would fall within explanation IV to Section 499 of IPC. In support of his submission, learned counsel relied upon decision of this Court in SP Bobati & Ors. v. Mahadev Virupaxappa Latti reported in ILR 2005 KAR 960. 4. There is no representation for respondent. 5. Heard learned counsel and perused material on record. 6. This petition is by accused no.1 and 2 challenging order taking cognizance and also entire proceedings in pursuance of private complaint filed by respondent for offences punishable under Sections 500, 501 and 502 of IPC. 7. Main ground urged is that incident would fall within explanation 4 of Section 499 of IPC and proceedings against accused no.3 and 4 have been quashed by this Court holding - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010554382019 NC: 2026:KHC:37910 CRL.P No. 662 of 2020 that order taking cognizance was illegal and statement imputed against accused no.3 and 4 would not constitute offence of defamation. 8. Perusal of private complaint at Annexure-K would indicate that only imputation against accused no.1 and 2 were that they had telecasted program under caption 'Just Bangalore' on 10.07.2010, in which accused no.3 and 4 as panelists made certain statements about encroachment of various lands by complainant. 9. And petitioners were arraigned along with accused no.3 and 4. But in Crl.P.no.3666/2012 c/w Crl.P.no.3287/2012 this Court by order dated 16.08.2018, quashed proceedings against accused no.3 and 4. Consequently, proceedings against accused no.1 and 2 would not survive. Consequently, petition succeeds and proceedings in CC no.7171/2012 in pursuance of PCR no.38609/2010 on file of VI ACMM, Bengaluru, are quashed in respect of petitioners-accused no.1 and 2 also. Sd/- (RAVI V HOSMANI) JUDGE AV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 17