- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010618492026 NC: 2026:KHC:53000 CRL.P No. 13817 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 24TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13817 OF 2026 BETWEEN: KARTHIK T. M. Y, S/O SRI MUNIRATHNAM THAMMINENI, AGE ABOUT 38 YEARS, R/AT NO 04, 1ST MAIN, 15TH CROSS, MUNESHWARA BLOCK, MAHALAKSHMIPURAM LAYOUT, BENGALURU NORTH, BENGALURU - 560086. …PETITIONER (BY SRI SANDEEP HEGDE, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY CHANDRA LAYOUT POLICE STATION, REP BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BUILDING, BENGALURU - 560001. 2. SMT SHILPA R, AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS, NO.1058, LUCKESH, 7TH MAIN, BEML LAYOUT, R R NAGAR, BENGALURU CITY, KARNATAKA - 560098. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI M V ANOOP KUMAR, ADDL. SPP FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS) BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO QUASH THE FIR IN CRIME NO.172/2026 DATED 30.04.2026, Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010618492026 NC: 2026:KHC:53000 CRL.P No. 13817 of 2026 REGISTERED BY CHANDRA LAYOUT POLICE STATION, FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 318(4), 314 AND 316(5) OF THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE 46TH ADDITIONAL CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU CITY, BENGALURU, AND ALL PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT THERETO, INCLUDING ANY CHARGE-SHEET/FINAL REPORT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OR MAY HEREAFTER BE FILED, PURSUANT TO THE INVESTIGATION THEREIN. 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, learned Additional SPP for first respondent. 2. This petition is filed to quash Crime No. 172/2026 dated 30.04.2026 registered by the Chandra Layout Police Station, Bengaluru for the offence under Sections 318(4), 314, 316(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that he is a Selection Grade Assistant in Accounts Section and he has no role in the alleged offence. The alleged offences are committed by higher officers in the Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010618492026 NC: 2026:KHC:53000 CRL.P No. 13817 of 2026 department and to cover up their misdeeds, the petitioner was made to sign a letter drafted by the Registrar - Shwetha G. The petition was given a threat that in case he does not sign, he will be removed, from employment. 4. It is the further submission that simultaneously, the departmental enquiry is being held against the petitioner, as such, the present petition is to be quashed or atleast the proceeding has to be stayed till the completion of the domestic enquiry. 5. Learned SPP would submit that the contents of the complaint disclose cognizable offence. Even according to the statement made by the petitioner, he has signed the document at Annexure - E though it is alleged that the said signature is taken on the threat of suspension order or dismissed from service. 6. The Court is of the view that the matter requires investigation. Whether the petitioner is to be charge sheeted or trial alleged, whether the signature of the petitioner is taken on the document under threat or Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010618492026 NC: 2026:KHC:53000 CRL.P No. 13817 of 2026 coercion or whether somebody else is involved in the commission of the offences has to be investigated by the Investigating Officer. 7. Petitioner is at liberty to put forth his version and place all the materials before the Investigating Officer to substantiate his contention. All materials shall be considered objectively. 8. Accordingly, petition is dismissed. Merely because the petition is dismissed, it should not be construed as having expressed on the merits of the complaint lodged against the petitioner. 9. All contentions are left open. (ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE BRN List No.: 2 Sl No.: 32 Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE