- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010533512026 NC: 2026:KHC:50849 CRL.P No. 11762 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 11762 OF 2026 (482(Cr.PC) / 528(BNSS)) BETWEEN: MR. SANDEEP GIRIDHAR @ GIRIDHAR SANDEEP AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, S/O C.V. GIRIDHAR BABU, T-3, THIRD FLOOR, BSR SOLITAIRE, 17/16/2, 1ST MAIN ROAD, KEMPAPURA, NEAR SINDHI COLLEGE, HEBBAL, BANGALORE NORTH, H.A. FARM, BENGALURU - 560 024, KARNATAKA. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. BHADRAVADI SIDDESWARA, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY STATION HOUSE OFFICER, TILAKWADI POLICE STATION, KHADEBAZAR SUB-DIVISION, BELAGAVI CITY, KARNATAKA, REPRESENTED BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR. Digitally signed by NAGARATHNA M Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010533512026 NC: 2026:KHC:50849 CRL.P No. 11762 of 2026 2. ZABIULLA K., S/O MOHAMMED FAZULLA K, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, ASSISTANT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (ARCS), BELAGAVI SUB-DIVISION, BELAGAVI, KARNATAKA. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. NAGHARISH G S., HCGP FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.P.C (U/S 528 BNSS) PRAYING TO A.QUASH THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORT AGAINST ACCUSED NO.5 REGISTERED IN CRIME NO.0063/2026 BY TILAKWADI POLICE STATION, BELAGAVI CITY, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 9 OF THE KARNATAKA PROTECTION OF INTEREST DEPOSITORS (IN FINANCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS) ACT, 2004; SECTIONS 21(1) AND 21(2) OF THE BANNING OF UNREGULATED DEPOSIT SCHEMES ACT, 2019; AND SECTIONS 318(4) AND 238 READ WITH SECTION 3(5) OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023, REGISTERED BY TILAKWADI POLICE STATION, BELAGAVI CITY PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE HON'BLE XLII ADDL. CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BENGALURU AND CONSEQUENTLY QUASH ALL FURTHER INVESTIGATION ARISING THEREFROM AGAINST THE PETITIONER. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010533512026 NC: 2026:KHC:50849 CRL.P No. 11762 of 2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE ORAL ORDER Learned High Court Government Pleader accepts notice for respondent No.1. 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the complaint filed against the Company has been quashed in Criminal Petition No.10781/2026 vide order dated 07.09.2026. It is submitted that, in the said case, accused No.1 is the Company and accused No.2 is the Director of the said Company. It is submitted that the petitioner was an employee of the Company and is presently under suspension. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would further submit that since the offence against the Company and its Director has been quashed, the proceeding against the petitioner is also required to be quashed, as petitioner was only an employee and was working as per the directions of the Company. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010533512026 NC: 2026:KHC:50849 CRL.P No. 11762 of 2026 4. The complaint was lodged against the Company alleging that the Company had promised to return the investment with interest at the rate of 5% per month. The complaint against the Company was quashed based on the affidavit and undertaking filed on behalf of the Company. 4. Learned High Court Government Pleader does not dispute the aforementioned factors. 5. Considering the fact that the petitioner was only an employee of the Company, the proceedings against the petitioner is quashed. Accordingly, the petition is allowed. Sd/- (ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE AM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 50