- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 2944 OF 2026 (482(Cr.PC)/528(BNSS) BETWEEN: 1. MR. SAGAR A.B., S/O BASAVARAJAPPA A.R, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, ALAKERE VILLAGE, KERAGODU HOBLI, MANDYA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA - 571 450. 2. MRS. ANITHA, W/O A.R. BASAVARAJAPPA, AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, ALEKERE VILLAGE AND POST, KERAGODU HOBLI, MANDYA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA - 571 450. 3. MR. A.R. BASAVARAJAPPA, S/O A.S. RAJAPPA, AGED ABOUT 66 YEARS, ALAKERE VILLAGE AND POST, KERAGODU HOBLI, MANDYA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA - 571 450. Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026 - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 4. A.B. MADHURYA, D/O A.R. BASAVARAJAPPA, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, ALEKERE VILLAGE AND POST, KEREGODU HOBLI, MANDYA TALUK, MANDYA DISTRICT, KARNATAKA - 571 450. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. GAURAV G K., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA - THROUGH THE MANDYA WOMEN POLICE STATION, MANDYA. (REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATKA, BENGALURU - 560 001.) 2. THEJASWINI M, AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS, R/AT HALAGAPURA VILLAGE, HANURU TALUK, CHAMARAJANAGARA, KARNATAKA - 571 313. PRESENTLY RESIDING AT, HANUMANTHANAGARA VILLAGE, RAMANAGARA TALUK, BENGALURU SOUTH, KARNATAKA - 562 159. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. NAGHARISH G.S., HCGP FOR R1 SRI. SARAVANA S., ADVOCATE FOR R2) Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026 - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS), PRAYING THAT THIS HON'BLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO QUASH THE INVESTIGATION IN FIR REGISTERED IN CRIME NO.0003/2026 IN MANDYA WOMEN POLICE STATION, MANDYA, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 85, 352,351(2), 115(2), 127(2) READ WITH 3(5) OF THE THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITHA, 2023 AND SECTION 3 AND 4 OF DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE(JR.DN) AND JMFC COURT, MANDYA AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE ORAL ORDER Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent No.1 and learned counsel for respondent No.2/complainant. 2. This petition is filed to quash the complaint dated 17.01.2026 filed by respondent No.2 and the FIR registered in Crime No.3/2026 before the Mandya Women Police Station. 3. The complainant has alleged that, her marriage has taken place with petitioner No.1 on 30.04.2023. It is Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026 - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 stated that the marriage expenses were borne by the parents of the complainant and gold and silver ornaments were also given at the time of marriage. 4. It is further alleged that, the complainant was looked after well for few days and thereafter the husband/Petitioner No.1 started insisting dowry on the premise that, Petitioner No.1 has to discharge loan and demanded Rs.2,00,000. 5. It is further alleged that, the petitioners physically and mentally harassed and abused the complainant. 6. The complainant further states that, the parents of the Respondent No.2 are not in a position to meet the demand for the dowry by the Petitioner. It is also alleged in the complaint that Accused No.1 use to insist the Respondent No.2 to pay her salary to the Accused No. 1 and same is paid because of the pressure put by the Accused No.1. Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026 - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 7. It is also alleged on 02.03.2024, the Accused No.1 came home drunk and assaulted and abused in filthy words and also gave a life threat to the Respondent No.2 if the demand for dowry is not met by the complainant and her family. It is also alleged on 02.11.2025, parents and relatives of the Respondent No.2 had come to the house of Respondent No.2 at about 02.00 p.m. When the complainant's father asked the complainant's father-in-law as to why the complainant is not sent to the maternal home, it is alleged that the complainant's father-in-law abused the complainant's father. Accused No.1 also assaulted the complainant's father and insisted for dowry. 8. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that, the matrimonial dispute between the husband and the wife is blown out of proportion, making false allegations against the family members of accused No.1/husband. Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026 - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 9. It is submitted that, there is no justification in registering the FIR against the petitioners and would urge that the petition is to be allowed. 10. Learned counsel for respondent No.2 would urge that allegations are serious. From the contents of the complaint, cognizable offences is made out and the matter requires investigation. 11. The Court has considered the contentions raised in the bar and perused records. It is not in dispute that the petitioners were residing under the same roof along with the complainant. The complainant has levelled series of allegations against the petitioners. 12. The ingredients of the complaint, if are true, attract the offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS') as well as the prevention of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. 13. However, after going through the complaint carefully, the Court is of the view that allegation against Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026 - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010131802026 NC: 2026:KHC:49418 CRL.P No. 2944 of 2026 petitioner No.4 is rather vague and omnibus and investigation against petitioner No.4 may not be required. 14. Under these circumstances, the petition is allowed in part. 15. Proceeding against petitioner No.4 is quashed. There shall be investigation into the allegations against the petitioners No.1 to 3. It is made clear that, the Court has not expressed anything on the merits of the allegations against accused No.1 to 3. (ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE PK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 17 Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE on 17-09-2026