- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010271092025 NC: 2026:KHC:43685 CRL.P No. 5971 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 13TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5971 OF 2025 BETWEEN: 1. R. MANIKANTA, S/O. S.RAJU, AGED ABOUT 36 YEARS, NO.11, 1ST CROSS, M.G.NAGAR, SHANKARMUTT, MAHALAKSHMIPURAM LAYOUT, BENGALURU-560 086. 2. LAKSHMI, W/O. RAJU, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, NO.28, 2ND CROSS, PIPELINE, KAVERI NAGAR, KURUBARAHALLI, BENGALURU-560079. 3. RAJU, S/O. LATE. SRINIVAS, AGED ABOUT 67 YEARS, NO.28, 2ND CROSS, PIPELINE, KAVERI NAGAR, KURUBARAHALLI, BENGALURU-560079. 4. VELU.R. S/O. RAJU, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, Digitally signed by PADMAVATHI B K Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010271092025 NC: 2026:KHC:43685 CRL.P No. 5971 of 2025 NO.28, 2ND CROSS, PIPELINE, KAVERI NAGAR, KURUBARAHALLI, BENGALURU-560079. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. NATARAJU T, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, WEST WOMEN POLICE, REPTD.BY S.P.P., HIGH COURT BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560001. 2. SMT. DIVYA M.G., W/O. MANIKANTAN, AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, R/O. NO.125, 6TH CROSS, 7TH MAIN, SRIRAMPURA, BENGALURU - 560 021. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT.WAHEEDA M.M., HCGP FOR R1; SRI.SHIVAYOGI B HALLUR, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS) PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C NO.5441/2025 FOR THE O/P/U/S 85, 115(2), 351(2), 352, 3(5) OF BNS, 2023 AND U/S 4 OF D.P ACT, ARISING OUT OF CRIME NO.109/2024 REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT POLICE, WHICH IS PENDING BEFORE THE 24TH ADDL.CMM COURT, BENGALURU. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010271092025 NC: 2026:KHC:43685 CRL.P No. 5971 of 2025 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioners are before this Court calling in question the proceedings in C.C.No.5441/2025 registered for offences punishable under Sections 85, 115(2), 351(2), 352, 3(5) of BNS, 2023 and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. 2. Heard Sri.Nataraju T, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Smt.Waheeda M.M., learned HCGP appearing for respondent No.1 , Sri.Shivayogi B Hallur, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2 and have perused the material on record. 3. During the pendency of these proceedings, it transpires that the parties to the lis have entered into a settlement amongst themselves and have filed a compounding application, affidavit and Joint Affidavit in that regard. The Joint Affidavit reads as follows: "We, Manikanta S/o. S.Raju, aged about 37 years, No.11, 1st Cross, M.G.Nagar, Shankarmutt, Mahalakshipuram Layout, Bengaluru-560 086 and Smt.Divya M.G. W/o. Manikantan, aged about 34 years, - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010271092025 NC: 2026:KHC:43685 CRL.P No. 5971 of 2025 R/at No.125, 6th Cross, 7th Main, Sirampura, Bengaluru- 560 021, do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as follows:- 1. We are the 1st Petitioner and 2nd Respondent in the above case; we know the facts of the case. Hence we are swearing to this affidavit. 2. I petitioner No.1 states that, I had instituted a complaint in Crime No.109/2024 registered by the respondent police which is pending before the 24th A.C.M.M., Bengaluru, for the offences punishable U/Sec. 85, 115(2), 351(2), 352, 3(5) of BNS, 2023 and U/Sec. 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act against my husband who is the 1st petitioner and others in the above matter. 3. We state that with the intervention of the well wishers, elders, relatives and family friends, we have settled the dispute. The respondent police charge sheeted the 1st Petitioner and others for the alleged offences in CC.5441/2025. Thereafter we have settled the dispute vide compromise decree dtd: 20.07.2026 in M.C.No.7054/2024 passed by the Principal Judge, Family Court, Bengaluru, by filing Settlement U/Sec.89 of CPC R/W. Rules 24 and 25 of the Karnataka Civil Procedure (Mediation) Rules 2005. Hence, myself i.e. Defacto Complainant herein is not willing to prosecute the matter. 5. I, the Respondent No.2 state that, there is no coercion, threat or undue influence in settling the above said matter between us. I am settling the same with my free will and consent having knowledge of consequences of settling the issue that, the matter would be ended by filing this joint affidavit after acceptance by this Hon'ble Court. 6. Hence, we most respectfully pray that this Hon'ble Court be pleased to allow the petition and quash the CC. 5441/2025 arising out of Crime No.109/2024 registered by the respondent police which is pending before the 24th A.C.M.M., Bengaluru, for the offences punishable U/Sec. 85, 115(2), 351(2), 352, 3(5) of BNS, 2023 and U/Sec. 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act against the 1st Petitioner and others, in the interest of justice and - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010271092025 NC: 2026:KHC:43685 CRL.P No. 5971 of 2025 equity. What are all stated above are true to the best of our knowledge, belief and information." 4. In light of the settlement arrived at between the parties as afore-quoted, I pass the following: ORDER [I] Criminal Petition is disposed. [II] Proceedings in C.C.No.5441/2025 pending before the 24th Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Bengaluru, qua the petitioners stands quashed. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE CBC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 95