- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 2432 OF 2024 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 3469 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 16995 OF 2025 IN CRL.P No. 2432/2024 BETWEEN: 1. SRI.PAVAN @ PARAMESHA A.P, S/O T.C. PRAKASH KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, LAXMIPURA EXTENSION, NEAR TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, ARASIKERE, HASSAN, AND ALSO OPP.GOWRAMMA HIGH SCHOOL, HOYSALA NAGARA, ARASIKERE TOWN, HASSAN DISTRICT, PIN-573103. 2. SMT. KAMALA W/O GIRISHA AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS 3. SRI. GIRISHA, S/O CHANDRAIAH, AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, Digitally signed by SANJEEVINI J KARISHETTY Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 PETITIONERS 2 AND 3 ARE RESIDING AT OPP. GOWRAMMA HIGH SCHOOL HOYSALA NAGARA, ARSIKERE TOWN HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 103 AND ALSO AT NO.387/25, APMC COMPOUND ROAD, SRINIVASA NAGAR, ARASIKERE, HASSAN - 573 103. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. YASHAVANTHSWAMY A. M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ARSIKERE TOWN POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. SMT. ANUSHA G., @ USHA, W/O PAVANA @ PARAMESHA, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, R/AT GANDASI VILLAGE, GANDASI HOBALI, ARASIKERE TALUK, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 013. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.N.JAGADEESHA, ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI. LOKESH KUMAR K. S., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THE CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR, COMPLIANT AND CHARTE SHEET REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1/POLICE AGAINST THE - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 PETITIONER/ACCUSED NO.1, 4 AND 5 IN CR.NO.158/2019 IN C.C.NO.173/2020 ARASIKERE TOWN POLICE STATION, ARASIKERE, HASSAN DISTRICT, FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 498A, 504, 323, 506 R/W SEC. 149 OF IPC AND SEC. 3 AND 4 OF DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT PENDING ON THE FILE OF SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND J.M.F.C., ARASIKERE, HASSAN. IN CRL.P NO. 3469/2024 BETWEEN: 1. SMT. PRAMEELA, W/O PRAKASHA, AGED ABOUT 65 YEARS, 2. SRI PRAKASHA, S/O LATE T.G.CHANNABASAPPA, AGED ABOUT 73 YEARS, BOTH ARE PETITIONERS NO.1 & 2 R/A OPP. GOWRAMMA HIGH SCHOOL, HOYSALA NAGARA, ARSIKERE TOWN, HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 103. NOTE: THE BENEFIT OF SENIOR CITIZENSHIP IS NOT CLAIMED. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. KANTHARAJAPPA M. G., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ARSIKERE TOWN POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 AMBEDKAR BEEDHI, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. SMT. ANUSHA G., @ USHA, W/O PAVANA @ PARAMESHA, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, R/AT GANDASI VILLAGE, GANDASI HOBALI, ARASIKERE TALUK, HASSAN - 573 013. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.N.JAGADEESHA, ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI. LOKESH KUMAR K. S., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P FILED U/S 482 CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR, COMPLAINT AND CHARGE SHEET REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 AGAINST THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.2 AND 3 IN C.C.NO.173/2020 (IN CR.NO.158/2019) OF ARASIKERE TOWN POLICE STATION, ARASIKERE HASSAN DISTRICT, FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S 498A, 323, 504, 506 R/W SEC. 149 OF IPC AND SEC. 3 AND 4 OF D.P. ACT, IN PENDING ON THE FILE OF LEARNED SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC ARSIKERE HASSAN, AND TO ACQUIT THE PETITIONERS / ACCUSED NO.2 AND 3 FROM THE ALLEGED OFFENCE AND TO PASS ANY OTHER ORDER/S, THAT THIS HONBLE COURT DEEMS FIT TO GRANT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE. IN CRL.P NO. 16995/2025 BETWEEN: SRI PAVAN @ PARAMESHA A. P., S/O T.C.PRAKASH KUMAR, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, LAXMIPURA EXTENSION, - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 NEAR TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, ARASIKERE, HASSAN AND ALSO OPP. GOWRAMMA HIGH SCHOOL, HOYSALA NAGARA, ARASIKERE TOWN, HASSAN DISTRICT, PIN – 5731 03. ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. YASHAVANTHSWAMY A. M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY ARSIKERE TOWN POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, AMBEDKAR BEEDI, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. SMT. ANUSHA G., @ USHA, W/O PAVANA @ PARAMESHA, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, R/AT GANDASI VILLAGE, GANDASI HOBALI, ARASIKERE TQ, HASSAN – 573 013. ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B.N.JAGADEESHA, ADDL. SPP FOR R1; SRI. LOKESH KUMAR K. S., ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR, COMPLAINT AND CHARGE SHEET REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1/POLICE AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN CRIME NO.158/2019 IN CC NO.173/2020 OF ARASIKERE TOWN POLICE STATION ARASIKERE HASSAN DISTRICT FOR THE OFFENCES P/U/S - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 498(A), 504, 506 R/W SECTION 149 OF IPC AND SECTION 3 AND 4 OF DP ACT IN PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE LD SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC ARSIKERE HASSAN, AND TO ACQUIT THE PETITIONER FROM THE ALLEGED OFFENCE. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER In Crl.P.No.2432/2024, petitioners are before this Court seeking the following prayers: "WHEREFORE, the Petitioners/accused No.1, 4 & 5 humbly prays that, this Hon'ble Court be pleased to quash the FIR, Complaint and Charge sheet registered by the Respondents No.1/Police against the Petitioners/accused No.1, 4 & 5 in Crime No.158/2019 in CC.No.173/2020 of Arasikere Town Police Station Arasikere Hassan dist, for the offence punishable U/sec 498(A), 504, 323, 506 R/w Sec 149 of IPC. And Sec 3 & 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, in pending on the file of learned Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Arsikere Hassan, and to acquit the Petitioners/accused No.1 & 4 to 5 from the alleged offence and to pass any other order/s, that this Hon'ble court deems fit to grant in the circumstances of the case, with costs in the interest of justice and equity." 2. In Crl.P.No.3469/2024, petitioners are before this Court seeking the following prayers: - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 "WHEREFORE, the Petitioners/accused No.2 & 3 humbly prays that, this Hon'ble Court be pleased to quash the FIR, Complaint and Charge sheet registered by the Respondents No.1/Police against the Petitioners/accused No.2 & 3 in Crime No.158/2019 in CC.No.173/2020 of Arasikere Town Police Station Arasikere Hassan dist, for the offence punishable U/sec 498(A), 323, 504, 506 R/w Sec 149 of IPC. And Sec 3 & 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, in pending on the file of learned Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Arsikere Hassan, and to acquit the Petitioners/accused No.2 & 3 from the alleged offence and to pass any other order/s, that this Hon'ble court deems fit to grant in the circumstances of the case, with costs in the interest of justice and equity." 3. In Crl.P.No.16995/2025, petitioners are before this Court seeking the following prayers: "WHEREFORE, the Petitioner/Accused No.1 humbly prays that, this Hon'ble Court be pleased to quash the FIR, Complaint and Charge sheet registered by the Respondents No.1/Police against the Petitioner in Crime No.158/2019 in CC.No.173/2020 of Arasikere Town Police Station Arasikere Hassan dist, for the offence punishable U/sec 498(A), 504, 506 R/w Sec 149 of IPC. And Sec 3 & 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, in pending on the file of learned Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Arsikere Hassan, and to acquit the Petitioner from the alleged offence and to pass any other order/s, that this Hon'ble court deems fit to grant in the circumstances of the case, with costs in the interest of justice and equity." 4. In Crl.P.No.2432/2024 and Crl.P.No.16995/2025, heard Sri.Yashavanthswamy A.M., learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, in Crl.P.No.3469/2024, heard Sri.Kantharajappa M.G., learned counsel appearing for the - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 petitioners, Sri.B.N.Jagadeesha, learned Addl. SPP appearing for respondent No.1, Sri.Lokesh Kumar K.S., learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2 and have perused the material on record. 5. During the pendency of the proceedings, the parties to the lis have settled the dispute among themselves in the Karnataka Mediation Centre and have filed a Memorandum of Settlement Agreement in Crl.P.No.2432/202, which reads as follows: "MEMORANDUM OF SETTLEMENT UNDER SECTION 89 OF CPC READ WITH RULES 24 AND 25 OF THE KARNATAKA CIVIL PROCEDURE (MEDIATION) RULES, 2005. The Petitioners and the Respondent submits as under: I. The Respondent No.2 has initiated criminal proceedings against her husband Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1) and his family members in Cr.No.158/2019 before Arasikere Police Station and the police have filed charge sheet against them under Sections 498A, 504, 506, 149 of IPC and Sections 3 & 4 of Dowry Probation Act in C.C.No.173/2020 on the file of the Senior Civil Judge & JMFC., Arasikere, Hassan, against which the Petitioners who are the accused No.4 & 5 / sister and brother-in-law of Mr.Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1) have preferred above Criminal petition for quashing the proceedings initiated against them. II. The aforesaid petition was referred to mediation for resolving the disputes between the parties. During the course of Mediation, the Respondent No.2 and her - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 husband Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1), and the Petitioners herein along with their counsel were present, the parties identified each other and they resolved their dispute on the following terms and conditions: 1. The Respondent No.2 has agreed to co-operate to quash/compound the proceedings initiated against the Petitioners in view of the settlement arrived at Crl.P.No.3469/2024. 2. That the parties confirm that they shall be bound by the terms, conditions and contents of the said settlement agreement. III. That the Parties submit that, in view of the aforesaid terms of settlement arrived at between them the Hon'ble Court may be pleased to pass appropriate orders accordingly. IV. Parties will appear before the Hon'ble Court for passing orders in terms of the settlement/ agreement." 6. In Crl.P.No.3469/2024, the Memorandum of Settlement Agreement is filed, which reads as follows: "MEMORANDUM OF SETTLEMENT UNDER SECTION 89 OF CPC READ WITH RULES 24 AND 25 OF THE KARNATAKA CIVIL PROCEDURE (MEDIATION) RULES, 2005. The Petitioner and the Respondent submits as under: I. The Respondent No.2 has initiated criminal proceedings against her husband Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1) and his family members in Cr.No.158/2019 filed at Arasikere Police Station and the police have filed charge sheet against them under sections 498A, 504, 506, 149 of IPC and sections 3 & 4 of Dowry Probation Act in C.C.No.173/2020 on the file of the Senior Civil Judge & JMFC., Arasikere, Hassan against which the petitioners who are the accused No.2 & 3 / parents of Mr.Pavana @ - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 Paramesh (Accused No.1) have preferred above Criminal petition for quashing the proceedings initiated against them. II. The aforesaid petition was referred to mediation for resolving the dispute between the parties. During the course of Mediation, the respondent No.2 and her husband Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1) and the petitioners herein along with their counsel were present, the parties identified each other and they resolved their dispute on the following terms and conditions: 1. The 2nd Respondent and her husband Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1) have agreed to dissolve their marriage by obtaining a decree of divorce by mutual consent. 2. The 2nd Respondent and husband Pavana @ Paramesh (Accused No.1) have already exchanged their belongings. However husband of 2nd respondent has consented to the 2nd respondent for retaining the Mangala Suthra and finger ring which is given by him during the time of marriage. 3. The Husband of Respondent No.2 has returned following valuables to the Respondent No.2. a. Golden Kada b. Golden Finger c. Silver Plate d. Silver Chombu The Respondent No.2 acknowledges the receipt of the same. 4. The husband of 2nd Respondent has agreed to pay a sum of Rs.6,00,000/- (Rupees Six Lakhs Only) to the 2nd respondent towards maintenance/permanent alimony in full and final settlement of all her claims for which the 2nd Respondent has consented. a. The husband of 2nd Respondent has already paid a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Only) to the 2nd - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 respondent by way of Demand Draft bearing No.023367, Dated: 03.12.2025, Drawn on State Bank of India, Gandasi Branch, Bengaluru. The 2nd Respondent acknowledges the receipt of the same. b. The husband of 2nd Respondent has agreed to pay a sum of Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Only) to the 2nd respondent by way of Demand Draft bearing No.023368, Dated: 04.12.2025, Drawn on State Bank of India, Gandasi Branch, Bengaluru. The said Demand Draft shall be handed over to the 2nd respondent at the time of obtaining decree of divorce. 5. The 2nd respondent has agreed to co-operate to quash/close/compound proceedings filed against the petitioners and her husband a. C.C.No.173/2020 pending before the Senior Civil Judge & JMFC., Arasikere, Hassan. b. Crl.A. 84/2025, pending before V Additional District and Session Judge, Hassan. c. Crl.Misc. 28/2020, pending before 2nd Additional Civil Judge and JMFC, Arasikere filed under DV Act after obtaining decree of divorce. 6. That the parties confirm that they shall be bound by the terms, conditions and contents of this settlement agreement. III. That the Parties submit that, in view of the aforesaid terms of settlement arrived at between them the Hon'ble Court may be pleased to pass appropriate orders accordingly. IV. Parties will appear before the Hon'ble Court for passing orders in terms of the settlement/ agreement." 7. In the light of Memorandum of Settlement Agreements being filed and offences not being against the - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:6544 CRL.P No. 2432 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 3469 of 2024 CRL.P No. 16995 of 2025 State, I deem it appropriate to accept the same and terminate the proceedings against the petitioners in the subject petitions. 8. For the aforesaid reasons, the following: ORDER i. Criminal Petitions are disposed. ii. In all the Criminal Petitions, proceedings in C.C.No.173/2020 pending before the Senior Civil Judge and J.M.F.C., Arasikere, Hassan, stands quashed qua the petitioners. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE CBC List No.: 2 Sl No.: 28 CT:SS