- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010387712023 NC: 2026:KHC:49996 WP No. 16608 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 10TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA WRIT PETITION No.16608 OF 2023 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: 1. TV9 KANNADA NO.13/1, RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN BENGALURU-560025 REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 2. TV9 KANNADA NO.13/1, RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN BENGALURU-560025 REP BY ITS EDITOR IN CHIEF 3. NEWS 9 NO.13/1, RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN BENGALURU-560025 REP. BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR 4. M/S NEWS 9 NO.13/1, RHENIUS STREET RICHMOND TOWN BENGALURU-560025 REP BY ITS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ALL THE PETITIONERS ARE REPRESENTED BY THEIR AUTHORISED REPRESENATIVE MR HASEEBUR REHMAN, CHIEF PRODUCER CUM ANCHOR Digitally signed by R MANJUNATHA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010387712023 NC: 2026:KHC:49996 WP No. 16608 of 2023 TV9 NETWORK, ASSOCIATED BROADCASTING COMPANY PVT., LTD., …PETITIONERS (BY SRI NAGENDRA DIKSHIT S, ADVOCATE) AND: SRI. RAJANIKANTH L.S S/O LATE SONNAPPA AGED ABOUT 30 YEARS ADVOCATE NO.509, 3RD FLOOR PRABHATH COMPLEX K G ROAD BENGALURU-560 009 …RESPONDENT (VIDE ORDER DATED 15.04.2024, NOTICE TO RESPONDENT – HELD SUFFICIENT) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA R/W SECTION 482 CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PRAYING TO QUASH THE COMPLAINT VIDE ANNEXURE-B AND ALL FURTHER PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.8403/2012, ON THE FILE OF V ADDITIONAL CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU VIDE ANNEXURE-A TO THE PETITION RESTRICTED TO THE PETITIONERS HEREIN AND ETC., THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010387712023 NC: 2026:KHC:49996 WP No. 16608 of 2023 ORAL ORDER When the matter was listed on the previous occasion, having heard the counsel for petitioners, time was granted to find out whether petitioners would be interested to tender unconditional apology by way of written affidavit so as to put an end to the unwanted litigation which is pending for quite some time. 2. Pursuant to same, counsel for the petitioners has come up with the affidavits of Sri Rahul Choudhry, S/o Sri Satish Choudhry, working as Channel Head/Managing Editor of TV9 Kannada News Channel, who has sworn to the affidavit on behalf of petitioner Nos.1 and 2. Likewise, Sri Vilas Nandodkar, S/o late Vasant Rao Nandodkar, Chief Executive Producer of TV9 Kannada News Channel, has sworn to the affidavit on behalf of petitioner Nos.3 and 4, who are present before the Court. 3. Perused the affidavits. 4. Since the respondent is absent, this Court is of the considered opinion that placing the affidavits on record, - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010387712023 NC: 2026:KHC:49996 WP No. 16608 of 2023 pending proceedings can be quashed by exercising the inherent power vested in this Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure read with Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India. 5. Accordingly, the following: ORDER i. Petition allowed. ii. Placing the affidavits on record, C.C.No.8403/2012 pending on the file of the V Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru, insofar as the petitioners are concerned, is hereby quashed. Sd/- (V SRISHANANDA) JUDGE kcm List No.: 1 Sl No.: 23 CT:VR