- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010266412022 NC: 2026:KHC:53458 WP No. 11990 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA WRIT PETITION NO. 11990 OF 2022 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SRI. CHENNEGOWDA K.N, S/O NARAYANA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, EDITOR, VRL MEDIA LTD., N.H. 66 BANGRA KULUR VILLAGE, MANGALORE - 575 103. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. ARUNA SHYAM M, SR. ADVOCATE FOR SRI. SUYOG HERELE E, ADVOCATE) AND: SRI. KISHAN HEGDE KOLKEBAIL S/O RAVIRAJ HEGDE AGED ABOUT 54 YEARS, R/AT FLAT NO.401, ZEN GARDEN AJJAKADU, UDUPI - 576 101. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. K. PRASAD HEGDE, ADVOCATE) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA R/W SEC. 482 OF THE CR.PC PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER DTD 02.03.2022 AND ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.561/2022 (ARISING OUT OF P.C.NO.41/2021) ON THE FILE OF LEARNED ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, UDUPI FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE U/S 499 AND 500 OF IPC INCLUDING THE COMPLAINT AND ALL FURTHER PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT THERETO PRODUCED AT ANNEXURE-A, B AND C AND ETC., Digitally signed by ANNAPURNA G Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010266412022 NC: 2026:KHC:53458 WP No. 11990 of 2022 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN 'B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA ORAL ORDER 1. Heard Arun Shyam, learned Senior Counsel appearing for Sri.Suyog Herele E., learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri.K.Prasad Hegde, learned counsel for the respondent. 2. Petition is filed under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India read with Section 482 of Criminal Procedure Code with the following prayer: “WHEREFORE, the Petitioner above named most respectfully prays that, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to; i. Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other writ or order and quash the impugned order dated: 02-03-2022 and entire proceedings in C.C.No.561/2022 (arising out of P.C No.41/2021) on the file of Learned Addl.Civil Judge and JMFC, Udupi for the alleged offence u/s 499 and 500 of IPC including the complaint and all further - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010266412022 NC: 2026:KHC:53458 WP No. 11990 of 2022 proceedings pursuant thereto; (produced at ANNEXURE-A, B AND C). ii. Issue any other writ or order and grant such other and further reliefs as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the facts and circumstance of the case, in the interest of justice and equity. 3. Allegation against the petitioner is that he has defamed the respondent. Challenge to the registration of the case is that the petitioner is the media house who has published the same by taking necessary fees and it is a paid advertisement. 4. It is also brought to the notice of the Court that the publisher is not responsible for the contents, as it is pertaining to some Court proceedings and Advocate for the petitioner’s client has also published similar notice as a piece of information to make known to the public at large bout the pending proceedings. 5. There is also a disclaimer note published by the petitioner herein as to the contents of the advertisement. - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010266412022 NC: 2026:KHC:53458 WP No. 11990 of 2022 6. Taking note of these aspects of the matter, a case is made out by the petitioner to quash the pending proceedings. 7. Hence, following: ORDER i. Petition is allowed. ii. Proceedings in CC No.561/2022 on the file of Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Udupi for the offence punishable under Sections 499 and 500 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 is hereby quashed insofar as present petitioner is concerned. Sd/- (V SRISHANANDA) JUDGE KAV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 40