- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010522562026 NC: 2026:KHC:50567 CRL.P No. 11490 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 11490 OF 2026 BETWEEN: M MANOJ, S/O DURUGAPPA, AGED 23 YEARS, PRIVATE WORK, R/O WARD NO.2, NEAR UDASALAMMA TEMPLE, KUREKUPPA VILLAGE, TORANAGALLU HOBLI. SANDUR TALUK, BALLARI DISTRICT -583123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI R N CHITRAGAR,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, THROUGH STATION HOUSE OFFICER OF PUTTENAHALLI POLICE STATION 560078, REPRESENTED BY THEIR STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTORS, BENGALURU-560001. 2. SRI KAVITHA KUMARI D/O SANJAY, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, R/O HONEY LADIES P.G.,24TH MAIN, 6TH PHASE, J.P NAGARA, BENGALURU-560078. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI M V ANOOP KUMAR, ADDL. SPP FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482(FILED U/S.528 BNSS) CR.P.C BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO QUASH THE FIR ARISING OUT OF CRIME NO.125/2026 AND FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 67,67-A,67-D R/W INFORMATION Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010522562026 NC: 2026:KHC:50567 CRL.P No. 11490 of 2026 TECHNOLOGY ACT 2008 PENDING BEFORE IN THE COURT OF THE HONBLE XXX ACJM BENGALURU CITY. 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 petitioner and the learned Additional State Public Prosecutor for the first respondent. 2. This complaint is filed alleging that the complainant's personal and private photographs have been circulated in Instagram by creating fake Instagram accounts. In that complaint, the petitioner is named. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is unconcerned with the account referred to in the complaint. It is also his further submission that the said Instagram ID is removed permanently, as such, there is no need for further investigation. 4. Learned Additional SPP would submit that this is the second complaint filed against the petitioner for the similar Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010522562026 NC: 2026:KHC:50567 CRL.P No. 11490 of 2026 offences. It is further submission that since it is alleged that the fake Instagram account is created by the petitioner, same requires investigation. 5. The Court is of the view that if the contents of the complaint are true, then it attracts the penal consequences, as such, the matter requires investigation. The investigation cannot be stalled. Hence, the petition is dismissed. 6. Merely because the petition is dismissed, it shall not be construed as having expressed anything against the petitioner. 7. The police have to objectively investigate the matter and file the appropriate report not necessarily the charge sheet. (ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE CHS List No.: 2 Sl No.: 32 Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE