1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 30TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. NAGAPRASANNA WRIT PETITION No.19650 OF 2024 (GM – RES) BETWEEN: SRI VENKATARAYAPPA S/O LATE LAKSHMAPPA AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS R/AT ETIGADDAGOLLAHALLI S.RAGHUTTAHALLI POST, MUNGANAHALLI HOBLI, CHINTAMANI TALUK – 562 101 CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTRICT KARNATAKA. ... PETITIONER (BY SRI K.B.K.SWAMY, ADVOCATE) AND: 1 . THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY BEGUR POLICE STATION BENGALURU CITY REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU – 560 001. 2 . THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER MADIVALA SUB DIVISION BENGALURU CITY ADUGODI, BENGALURU – 560 095. R 2 3 . THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ELECTRONIC CITY SUB DIVISION BENGALURU CITY BENGALURU – 560 095. 4 . THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE SOUTH EAST DIVISION BENGALURU CITY 8/A, 20TH MAIN ROAD 6TH BLOCK, KORAMANGALA BENGALURU – 560 095. 5 . THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE NO.2, INFANTRY ROAD, BENGALURU KARNATAKA – 560 051. 6 . THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AND INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE KARNATAKA NO.2, POLICE HEAD QUARTERS NRUPATHUNGA ROAD BENGALURU – 560 001. 7 . THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY AMBEDKAR VEEDHI VIDHANA SOUDHA BENGALURU – 560 001. 8 . THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HOME GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA VIDHANA SOUDHA AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BENGALURU – 560 001. 3 9 . UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL PENSION AND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NORTH BLOCK NEW DELHI – 110 001. 10 . THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NORTH BLOCK, RAISINA HILL NEW DELHI – 110 001 REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. 11 . THE CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION PLOT NO.5-B, CGO COMPLEX, LODHI ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 003 REPRESENTED BY ITS DIRECTOR. 12 . SRI RAMESH S.V., S/O VENKATARAYAPPA AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS NO.05, 3RD FLOOR, VENUGOPAL REDDY BUILDING 2ND CROSS, PATEL LAYOUT BEGURU – 530 068. ... RESPONDENTS (BY SRI B.N.JAGADEESHA, ADDL.SPP FOR R-1 TO R-5; R-6 TO R-8 ARE DELETED VIDE ORDER DATED 29.07.2024; SRI H.MALLANAGOUD, ADVOCATE FOR R-9 TO 10; SMT.K.S.HEMA, ADVOCATE FOR R-11) 4 THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA READ WITH SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO I. ISSUE A WRIT IN THE NATURE OF MANDAMUS WITH AN APPROPRIATE DIRECTION FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE IN CRIME NO.133 OF 2023 (SPL.C.NO.1921/2023), FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 498(A), 304(B) OF IPC AND SECTION 3 AND 4 OF DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT AND SECTION 3(2) (v) SC/ST (PREVENTION OF ACROCITIES) ACT 1989 PENDING BEFORE THE LXX ADDL.CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE (SPECIAL JUDGE) AT BENGALURU, REGISTERED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.01/BEGURU POLICE STATION, BENGALURU CITY VIDE ANNEXURE – C AND CONSEQUENTIALLY KINDLY TRANSFER SUCH FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO RESPONDENT NO.11/CBI. THIS WRIT PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR ORDERS, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:- CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CAV ORDER The petitioner is before this Court seeking the following prayers: “(i) Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus with an appropriate direction for further investigation of the case in Crime No.133 of 2023 (Special C.No.1921 of 2023), for the offences punishable under Section 498(A), 304(B) of IPC and Section 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act and Section 3(2)(v) SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 pending before the LXX Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge (Special Judge) at Bangalore, registered by the respondent No.1/Beguru Police Station, Bengaluru City vide Annexure-C and consequentially kindly transfer such further investigation to respondent No.11/CBI. 5 (ii) Pass such other orders/directions as this Hon’ble Court deems fit in the facts and circumstances of the case, in the interest of justice and equity.” 2. Heard Sri K.B.K.Swamy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Sri B.N. Jagadeesha, learned Additional State Public Prosecutor for respondents 1 to 5, Sri H Mallanagoud, learned counsel appearing for respondents 9 and 10 and Smt. K.S. Hema, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.11. 3. Facts, in brief, germane, are as follows: - One Smt. Shilpa gets married to respondent No.12 on 06-07-2022. She dies on 03-06-2023. The petitioner, the father of the deceased registers a complaint in Crime No.133 of 2023 for offences punishable under Sections 498A, 302, 304B, 504, 506, 201 r/w 34 of the IPC and Section 3(i)(r) and 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Police conduct investigation and file a charge sheet against respondent No.12, the husband dropping offence under Section 302 of the IPC and retaining a few offences under the Act. The concerned Court, in terms of its order dated 05-09-2023, takes 6 cognizance of the offence. The father of the deceased is now before this Court seeking further investigation or re-investigation or even handing over of the investigation to the CBI. The petition is preferred on the score that the investigation has been so shoddy as the 12th respondent who is the husband/accused in Special Case No.1921 of 2023 is himself the Police Sub-Inspector and, therefore, directed the investigation in a wrong way to drop the offence under Section 302 of the IPC. 4. The learned counsel Sri K.B.K. Swamy appearing for the petitioner would vehemently contend that the investigation is shoddy from the word go and quotes several instances which according to the learned counsel would enure for a direction of further investigation or re-investigation by an independent agency. It is his submission that autopsy report discloses several external injuries which would clearly indicate violence against the wife by the husband, which is before killing the wife. This is completely ignored by the Investigating Officer, who obviously had been directed by the fellow policemen to take the investigation in a particular manner. The learned counsel would submit that respondent No.12 7 never wanted to marry the daughter of the petitioner and it was a forced marriage. Therefore, from day one there has been constant harassment of demand of dowry and torture. He would submit that on all these grounds it is necessary for this Court to intervene and direct further investigation into the matter by holding prima facie that it is a murder. 5. Per contra, the learned Additional State Public Prosecutor Sri B.N. Jagadeesha, by producing investigating papers for perusal of the Court, submits that apart from what is there as appendices to the charge sheet, if this Court were to order further investigation, the State would definitely do it, but would contend that there is no warrant in the case at hand, as dowry death is already registered apart from other offences. He submits that the petition would not merit any consideration, that too handing over the matter to the hands of the Central Bureau of Investigation (‘CBI’). 8 6. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the material on record. 7. The facts, as narrated, are largely undisputed. The petitioner is the father of one Shilpa. Shilpa was the wife of 12th respondent. The 12th respondent is a Police Sub-Inspector at Beguru Police Station, Bangalore. The materials placed before this Court reveal a disturbing sequence of events. It is the narration in the petition that the daughter of the petitioner and the 12th respondent pursued college education together. Their friendship blossomed into love and after several years of being together, the 12th respondent is said to have refused to marry the daughter of the petitioner. It is then, the petitioner and others visited Beguru Police Station, informed CW-47 about the relationship. Initially, the 12th respondent is said to have denied any kind of relationship and later when confronted with intimate photographs and such other evidence, agreed to marry the daughter of the petitioner. The marriage was thus solemnized on 06-07-2022. 9 8. It is the averment in the petition that the 12th respondent and the family members of the 12th respondent began to illtreat the daughter of the petitioner, on several scores of her being a member of Scheduled Caste and on demand of dowry. The deceased was last seen alive on 02-06-2023. It transpires that there was torture meted out on the daughter of the petitioner, who later is said to have died by hanging herself. The crime scene is unfolded when the father tried to contact the daughter and the daughter not taking the call. The petitioner is said to have received an information from the owner of the house that his daughter has been taken to St. John’s hospital the preceding night. Then the petitioner rushed to the Hospital, only to see the dead body of his daughter. 9. When the petitioner rushed to the Hospital upon receiving the said information, he found his daughter dead and unattended, while the husband had inexplicably vanished from the scene. Attempts to reach the husband through mobile phone went in vain, as he had switched it off. Left with no choice, the petitioner/father registers the crime in Crime No.133 of 2023 against the 12th respondent/husband and two other accused alleging murder and for 10 several other offences. The complaint is registered on 03-06-2023 which reads as follows: “ರವೆ, ಾಂಕ:03.06.2023 ಾನ ೕ ಇೆಕ ರವರು, ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾೆ, ೇಗೂರು, ೆಂಗಳ!ರು ನಗರ ರವಂದ, #ೆಂಕಟ%ಾಯಪ( ) *ೇ+ ಲ-.ಪ(, 54 ವಷ0 #ಾಸ: ಏ3ಗಡ5ೊಲ6ಹ89 ಾ:ಮ, %ಾಗುಟಹ89 ಅಂ=ೆ, ಮುಂಾನಹ89 >ೋಬ8, @ಂAಾಮB Aಾಲೂ6ಕು 563125, @ಕDಬEಾ9ಪFರ G*ೆ6. 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R ರವರು ).ಎ ಮತು^ ಎಂ.ಎ ಮುeದ ನಂತರ ನಮv ಮಗ8ೆ ಮದು#ೆ ಾಡಲು ಸಂಬಂದಗಳನುW ಹುಡು}J^bಾ\ಗ, ರUೕV ಎಂಬವರನುW Y:ೕJ ಾಡುJ^bೆ\ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ನತರ ಸು ಾರು 11 Jಂಗಳ nಂbೆ ಒಂದು ನ ರUೕV ಮತು^ ನನW ಮಗEಾದ Xಲ( ರವರು ನನW ಸmಂತ ಊ%ಾದ @ಂAಾಮB Aಾಲೂ6ಕು #ೈ.ೊಲ6ಹ89ೆ ಬಂದು TನW ಮಗಳa ಮತು^ ಾನು ಸು ಾರು 10 ವಷ0ಗ8ಂದ ಇಷ ಪ3ದು\ ಸು ಾರು 01 Jಂಗ8ಂದ ೆಂಗಳ!ರು ನಗರದ ೇಗೂರು ಾಾ #ಾY^ಯ X:ೕ #ೇಣುೋಾಲ %ೆZ5 ರವರ ಾZೆ ಮ ೆಯ6 #ಾಸ#ಾeರುAೆ^ೕ#ೆ. Tಮv IಾJ ಎ.N(ಎ.[ೆ) ಆeರುವFದಂದ ನಮv ಮ ೆಯ6 ಈ ಮದು#ೆೆ ಒಪF(J^ರುವFಲ6. ಆದ\ಂದ ಾವF ಸmಲ( ನಗಳ ನಂತರ ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗುAೆ^ೕ#ೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಆಗ ಾನು ಎರಡು ಮ ೆಗಳa ಒY([ೊಂಡ ನಂತರ ಮದು#ೆ{ಾe ಎಂದು ಬು\ >ೇ8ರುAೆ^ೕ ೆ. ನಂತರ ಒಂದು ನ ನನW ಮಗEಾದ Xಲ( ರವರು ಕ%ೆ ಾZ ರUೕV ಕುಟುಂಬದವರು ಾಗ IಾJ ಎಂದು ಮದು#ೆೆ ಒಪF(J^ಲ6#ೆಂದು ರUೕV ರವರು >ೇ8ರುAಾ^%ೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^Eೆ. ನಂತರ ನನW ಸಂಬಂ•ಕ%ಾದ X:ೕ #ೆಂಕರವಣಪ( ಮತು^ ಮರಪ(6 X:ೕ X:ೕT#ಾಸ ಎಂ.ಎz ರವರ IೊAೆ ೆಂಗಳ!ರು ನಗರದ ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾೆೆ ಬಂದು ರUೕV ರವರನುW ಮದು#ೆ R=ಾರ#ಾe ಾತ ಾಡಲು >ೋbಾಗ ೕ ಾೆಯ6ದ\ ೕ ಇ ೆಕ ರವರು ನನWನುW ಮತು^ ರUೕV ರವರನುW ಒಟು ಗೂZN. ಈ UೕಲDಂಡ R=ಾರವನುW J8ದು[ೊಂಡು ರUೕV ರವೆ ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗುವಂAೆ ಬು\ >ೇ8ರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಆಗ ರUೕV ರವರು ನನW ಮಗಳನುW ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗುAೆ^ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾಾ ಇೆಕ ಸಮುvಖದ6 >ೇ8ರುAಾ^%ೆ. ನಂತರ ರUೕV ರವರು TನW ಮಗಳನುW Y:ೕJ ಾಡುJ^bೆ\ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. 12 ನಂತರ 15 ನಗಳ ನಂತರ ನನW ಮಗಳa ಕ%ೆ ಾZ ರUೕV ಅವರು ಾಂಕ:05-07-2022ರಂದು ಸ| Gಸ ಕ=ೇಯ6 ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗುAೆ^ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಅದರಂAೆ ರUೕV ಮತ^ ನನW ಮಗEಾದ Xಲ( R ರವರು ಾಂಕ:06-07-2022ರಂದು @ಕDಬEಾ9ಪFರ G*ೆ6ಯ @ಂAಾಮB Aಾಲೂ6}ನ ಸ| Gಸ ಕ=ೇಯ6 ೊಂದB ಸಂkೆ:CMN- HM160-2022-23 ರಂAೆ [ಾನೂ ಾತvಕ#ಾe >ಾಗೂ ೋಂದಾ•[ಾಗಳ ಕ€ೇಯ6 ಮದು#ೆ{ಾeರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಮದು#ೆ{ಾದ ನಂತರ ರUೕV ರವರು ಾನು ಸ| ಇ ೆಕ ಾನು ನಮv IಾJಯ ಹುಡುeಯನುW ಮದು#ೆ{ಾeದ\%ೆ ನನೆ IಾN^ ವರದ•ೆ [ೊಡುJ^ದ\%ೆಂದು bೈnಕ ಮತು^ ಾನNಕ nಂgೆ, IಾJ Tಂದ ೆ ಾಡುತ^ರುAಾ^%ೆ ಎಂದು ದೂರ#ಾB ಮುkಾಂತರ J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ನಂತರ ಾನು ರUೕV ಅವೆ ೕ ಾZ [ೇಳ*ಾe ಾನು =ೆ ಾWe ೋಡು[ೊಳa9J^bೆ\ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ನಂತರ ರUೕV ಅವೆ ಕ%ೆ ಾZ ನನW ಮಗಳನುW ಊೆ ಕಳanN [ೊZ ಎಂದು [ೇಳ*ಾe ರUೕV ರವರು ನನW ಮಗಳನುW ಕಳanNರುವFಲ6 ನಂತರ ನನW ಮಗಳ ನ Tತದ ಖಚು0#ೆಚƒ[ೆD ಾ ೆ TೕಡುAಾ^ ಬಂರುAೆ^ೕ ೆ ಾಂಕ:02-06-2023ರಂದು ಮಗಳa Xಲ(. R ರವರು ಮbಾಹW 03.30 ಗಂ„ೆೆ ದೂರ#ಾB ಕ%ೆ ಾZ ನನW ಖ@0ೆ ಹಣRಲ6 ನನW ಗಂಡ ಾದ ರUೕV ರವರು ಸು ಾರು 02 Jಂಗ8Tಂದ ಅ#ಾಚ ಶಬ\ಗ8ಂದ TಂN bೈnಕ ಮತು^ ಾನNಕ#ಾe nಂgೆ TೕಡುJ^bಾ\ ೆ J8NರುAಾ^Eೆ. ನಂತರ ಾನು ಹಣವನುW ಕಳanNರುAೆ^ೕ ೆ. ತದ ನಂತರ ನನW ಮಗ ಾದ X:ೕT#ಾಸ ರವರ Hೈz ಸಂkೆ:8660277947 Tಂದ ಸಂIೆ 07:40 ೆ ಕ%ೆ ಾZbಾಗ ನನ ಮಗEಾದ Xಲ( ರವರು ಕ%ೆ Nmೕಕಸಲ6. ನಂತರ ಾಂಕ: 03-06-2023 ರಂದು ೆಳ9ೆc 05.35 ಗಂ„ೆ ಸಮಯದ6 Hೈz ಸಂkೆ:9449618156 Tಂದ ಕ%ೆ ಬಂbಾಗ ಮ ೆ ಯಜ ಾನ%ಾದ #ೇಣುೊಾಲ%ೆZ5ಯವರು ಾತ ಾZ Tಮv ಮಗಳa ಾeಲು >ಾ}[ೊಂಡು AೆೆಯುJ^ಲ6 #ೆಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಆದ%ೆ ರUV ರವರು ಾತ ಾZರುವFಲ6 ಮತು^ {ಾವFbೇ ಾnJಯನುW TೕZರುವFಲ6. ಾವF ಪFನಃ ರUೕV ರವೆ ಕ%ೆ ಾZದ%ೆ NmೕಕNರುವFಲ6, ಆದ\ಂದ ನಮೆ ಾಬ{ಾe ಕುD [ಾಣbೇ ೇಗೂರು ಾZೆ ಮ ೆೆ ಬರುJ^bಾ\ಗ ಮAೆ^ ಮ ೆಯ ಯಜ ಾನ #ೇಣುೊಾಲರವರು ದೂರ#ಾB ಕ%ೆ ಾZ Tಮv ಮಗಳa gೆಂ+Iಾ ಆಸ(Aೆ:ಯ6 ಇbಾEೆ ಎಂದು J8NರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಾವF ಬಂದು ೋZbಾಗ ನನW ಮಗಳa ಆಸ(Aೆ:ಯ ಆವರಣದ6 ಸಚ Uೕ*ೆ >ೆಣ#ಾe )\ರುAಾ^Eೆ. ನನW ಮಗಳ ಶವದ ಹJ^ರ ರUೕV ಅ†ಾ#ಾ ಮ ೆಯ ಯಜ ಾನ #ೇಣುೊಾಲರವರು {ಾರು ಇರುವFಲ6. ಈ nಂbೆ ರUೕV ಮತು^ ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬದವರು ರವರು IಾJ ೆಪ>ೊZ5 ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗಲು T%ಾಕNದು\ >ಾಗೂ [ಾನೂನು ಬದ\#ಾe ಮದು#ೆ{ಾದರೂ ಸ>ಾ ನನW ತಮvTೆ ನಮv IಾJಯ6 ಮದು#ೆ ಾZಸುAೆ^ೕ ೆಂದು TನW ಮಗಳನುW ಸಂAೋಷ#ಾe ಬದುಕಳa )ಡುವFಲ6#ೆಂದು ರUೕV ಅವರ ಅಣ` ಾದ X:ೕ X:ೕT#ಾಸ ರವರು ೆದ[ೆ >ಾ}ದ\ರು. 13 ರUೕV ಎ.R ೕ ಸ| ಇ ೆಕ ಮತು^ ಕುಟುಂಬದವ%ಾದ X:ೕT#ಾ ರವರು ಮ ೆಯ ಯಜ ಾನ #ೇಣುೊಾಲ ರವರ ಸಹ[ಾರಂದ ನನW ಮಗಳನುW [ೊ*ೆ ಾZ, [ೊ*ೆ ಾZರುವ gಾ-‡ಗಳನುW ಾಶಪZಸುವ ದುರುbೆ\ೕಶಂದ ನನWನುW ಕುD ತಪ(ಸುವ ೕJಯ6 ಮ ೆ ಆಸ(Aೆ: ಎಂದು ಾnJ TೕZ ನನW ಮಗಳನುW [ೊ*ೆ ಾZರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಆದ\ಂದ ಾನರು ದಯ ಾZ UೕಲDಂಡ ರUೕV ಎ.R ಮತು^ ಅವರ ಅಣ` ಾದ ಎ.R X:ೕT#ಾಸ >ಾಗೂ ಮ ೆಯ ಾಕ%ಾದ #ೇಣುೋಾಲ%ೆZ5ರವರ Rರುದˆ [ಾನೂTನ ೕAಾ ಸೂಕ^ ಕ:ಮ ಜರುeN ದತ%ಾದ ನಮೆ ಸೂಕ^ ಾಯ ಒದeಸಲು ಈ ಮೂಲಕ ತಮv6 [ೋರುAೆ^ೕ ೆ gಾmh. ಸ‰ಳ: ೇಗೂರು ಇಂJ ೊಂದ ಬಡ ದತ ಾಂಕ: 03-06-2023 ಸn/- #ೆಂಕಟ%ಾಯಪ( ಾಂಕ : 03-06-2023 ರಂದು ಸಂIೆ 16-30 ಗಂ„ೆೆ Y{ಾ0ದುbಾರರು ಾೆೆ >ಾಜ%ಾe TೕZದ ದೂರನುW ಪqೆದು ಾಾ H.ಸ ಕಲಂ 133/2023-ಕಲಂ 498(A), 504, 506, 302, 304(B). 201 R/W 34 IPC ಮತು^ ಕಲಂ 3(2)(v), 3(1)(r), SC & ST Act - 1989 ೕAಾ ಪ:ಕರ ರಣ bಾಖಲು ಾZರುAೆ^” The Police conduct investigation and file a charge sheet. The summary of the charge sheet as obtaining in Column No.7 reads as follows: “bೋ¤ಾ%ೋಪಣಪ3ಯ6 ನಮೂNರುವ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು " ೇsc " IಾJೆ gೇದು\ ಈ [ೇNನ ಮೃAೆ X:ೕಮJ X*ಾ( R ಈ[ೆಯು ಪXಷ§ IಾJಯ “ಆ ಕ ಾ0ಟಕ" IಾJೆ gೇದು\ ಇವಬjರೂ Y.ಯು.N #ಾಸಂಗ ಾಡುJ^ರು#ಾeTಂದಲೂ ಒಬjೊಬjರು Y:ೕJಸುJ^ದು\ ಈೆc ಸು ಾರು 1 ವಷ0ದ nಂbೆ ಮೃAೆಯು ತನW ಊೆ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯನುW ಕ%ೆದು[ೊಂಡು >ೋe gಾ•-1 ಮತು^ gಾ•-2 ರವೆ ಮತು^ gಾ•-4 ರವೆ R=ಾರವನುW J8Nದು\ ಅವರುಗಳa ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯನುW R=ಾರ ಾZbಾಗ ಮೃAೆಯನುW ಮದು#ೆ ಾZ[ೊಳa9ವFbಾe ಒY([ೊಂZದು\ ಈ ಬೆc ಅವರುಗಳa ಎ- 1 ಆ%ೋYೆ Tಮv bೊಡ5ವರನುW ಕ%ೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಾ ಾತ ಾಡೇಕು ಎಂದು >ೇ8 ಕಳanN[ೊ3ರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಇbಾದ ಸು ಾರು ಒಂದು #ಾರದ ನಂತರ Xಲ(ಳa gಾ•-1 ಮತು^ gಾ•-2 ರವರುಗ8ೆ ¨ೕ ಾZ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯ ತಂbೆ Aಾsಯವರು ೆಂಗಳ!ೆ ಬರುJ^ದು\ ಅವಗೂ ಬರಲು 14 J8Nದು\ ಆ Uೕ%ೆೆ gಾ•-1, gಾ•-2 ಮತು^ gಾ•-3 ರವರುಗಳa ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾೆೆ ಬಂದು ಾೆಯ6 >ಾಜದ\ gಾ•-47 ರವ%ೊಂೆ Xಲ( ಮತು^ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋY ರUೕV.ಎ.R ರವರ ಮದು#ೆಯ ಬೆc [ೇ8ದು\ ಆಗ gಾ•-46 ಮತು^ gಾ•-47 ರವರು Xಲ( ಮತು^ gಾ•-1, gಾ•-2 ಮತು^ gಾ•-3 ರವರುಗಳa, ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋY ರUೕV ಎ.R ಮತು^ ಅವರ ತಂbೆ AಾsಯವರುಗಳನುW ಾೆsಂದ >ೊರೆ *** kಾಸe ಕ€ೇೆ ಕ%ೆದು[ೊಂದು >ೋe ಮೃAೆ Xಲ( ಮತು^ ಅವರ ಕqೆಯವರನುW ಮತು^ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋY ಮತು^ ಅವರ ತಂbೆ AಾsಗಳನುW ಒ3ೆ ಕೂN ಾತ ಾZN ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYೆ ಒಂದು Jೕ ಾ0ನ[ೆD ಬರಲು J8Nbಾಗ Hದಲು ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು Xಲ(ಳನುW ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗಲು T%ಾಕNದು\ ನಂತರ Xಲ(ಳ ಆ[ೆಯ Hೈz ನ6 ಇರುವ gಾ-‡ಗಳನುW AೋNbಾಗ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು Xಲ(ಳನುW [ಾನೂನು ಬದ\#ಾe ಮದು#ೆ ಆಗುವFbಾe ಒY([ೊಂZರುAಾ^ ೆ. ಅದರಂAೆ ಾಂಕ: 06.07.2022 ರಂದು ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು Xಲ(ಳನುW @ಂAಾಮBಯ ಸ| Gಸ ಕ€ೇಯ6 gಾ•-1, gಾ•-2 ಮತು^ gಾ•-3 ರವರುಗಳ ಸಮ-ಮದ6 Gಸ ಾ%ೇ« ಾZ[ೊಂZರುAಾ^ ೆ. Gಸ ಾ%ೇ« ಾZ[ೊಂಡ ನಂತರ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯ ಮತು^ Xಲ( ರವರುಗಳa gಾ•-15 ರವೆ gೇದ ೆಂಗಳ!ರು ನಗರ, ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾಾ ಸರಹದು\, ಪ„ೇz *ೇಔ+, 2 ೇ [ಾ: ನ6ರುವ )5ಂ- ನಂ.5 ರ 3 ೇ ಮಹZಯ6ನ ಮ ೆಯ6 #ಾಸ ಾZ[ೊಂZದು\ #ಾಸ ಾZ[ೊಂZರುವ #ೇEೆಯ6 ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು ಮೃAೆ Xಲ(8ೆ Tೕನು ಾಗ IಾJಯವಳa, ಾನು ೇ%ೆ IಾJಯವನು ಅಲ6bೇ ೕ ಸ| ಇ ೆಕ ಆeರುAೆ^ೕ ೆ, ಾನು ೇ%ೆ ಹುಡುeಯನುW ಮದು#ೆ ಾZ[ೊಂZದ\%ೆ ಅವರು [ೊಡುJ^ದ\ ವರದ•ೆsಂದ ನನW Gೕವನ gೆಟz ಆಗುJ^ತು^ ಾನು Tೕನು IೊAೆಯ6 ಓqಾZ[ೊಂZದ\ಂದ Y:ೕJಸುJ^bೆ\ವF ಎಂದು >ೇ8 ಬಲವಂತ#ಾe Tಮvವರು ನನೆ ಕ3ರುAಾ^%ೆ ಎಂದು ೈದು ಆ[ೆೆ >ೊqೆದು ಬZದು ತವರು ಮ ೆsಂದ ವರದ•ೆ ಹಣವನುW ತರುವಂAೆ ವರದ•ೆ }ರುಕುಳವನುW TೕಡುJ^ರುವFbಾe gಾ•-1, gಾ•- 2 gಾ•-4 >ಾಗು ತನW ತಂeಯವರ ಬ8 >ೇ8[ೊಂZದು\ ಈ R=ಾರದ6 ಅವರುಗಳa Xಲ(8ೆ ಮದು#ೆ{ಾದ >ೊಸದರ6 ಸಂgಾರದ6 ಇ#ೆ*ಾ6 gಾ ಾನ Tೕನು ಸ ಾxಾನ#ಾeದು\[ೊಂಡು ಅನುಸN[ೊಂಡು >ೋಗುವಂAೆ ಆ[ೆೆ ಸ ಾxಾನ ಾZರುAಾ^%ೆ. ಅಲ6bೇ ಈ R=ಾರದ6 gಾ•-1 ರವರು ಎ-! ಆ%ೋYೆ ಹಲ#ಾರು ಾ ¨ೕ ಾZ ಏ[ೆ ಈ ೕJ ಾಡುJ^\ೕ{ಾ Tನೆ ವರದ•ೆ ೇ[ಾದ6 ಾನು [ೊಡುAೆ^ೕ ೆ ನನW ಮಗಳನುW =ೆ ಾWe ೋZ[ೋ ಎಂದು >ೇ8bಾಗ ಆತನು ಇ*ಾ6 ಾನು Xಲ(ಳನುW =ೆ ಾWe ೋZ[ೊಳa9Aೆ^ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು >ೇ8ರುAಾ^ ೆ. ಆದರೂ ಸ>ಾ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು ತನW ತಪ(ನುW J\[ೊಳ9bೇ ಪFನಃ ಇbೇ ೕJ Xಲ(8ೆ ವರದ•ೆ }ರುಕುಳವನುW TೕಡುJ^ರುAಾ^ ೆ. ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಾಂಕ 26.03.2023 ರಂದು gಾ•-1 ರವರು ಒಟು ಸು ಾರು 85 ಾ:ಂ ತೂಕದ ಒಂದು @ನWದ ೆಕ6, >ಾರ, }R ಓ*ೆ ಮತು^ ಜುಮ} ಇವFಗಳನುW ಖೕN Xಲ(8ೆ TೕZ ಬಂರುAಾ^%ೆ. 15 nೕeದ\ರೂ ಸ>ಾ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು ತನW ತಪ(ನುW J\[ೊಳ9bೇ ಆತ ಮತು^ Xಲ(ಳa ಮ ೆಯ6 ಇರುವ #ೇEೆಯ6 ಆಾೆc ಆ[ೆೆ IಾJಯ ಬೆc nೕ{ಾ8N ಾತ ಾZ ೈದು >ೊqೆದು ಬZದು ತವರು ಮ ೆsಂದ ವರದ•ೆ ಹಣವನುW ತರುವಂAೆ nಂgೆ TೕಡುವFದು ಮುಂದುವ%ೆNದ\ಂದ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು ಆ[ೆೆ TೕಡುJ^ದ\ ವರದ•ೆ }ರುಕುಳವನುW Aಾಳ*ಾರbೇ Xಲ(ಳa ಮನ ೊಂದು ಾಂಕ 02.06.2023 ರಂದು ಆ[ೆಯು ೆಂಗಳ!ನ6 #ಾಸ ಾZ[ೊಂZದ\ ಮ ೆಯ ೆf ರೂhನ6ರುವ Nೕಂ- ±ಾ ೆ #ೇz ಬ„ೆಯನುW ಕ3[ೊಂಡು ಕುJ^ೆೆ )eದು[ೊಂಡು ೇಣು>ಾ}[ೊಂಡು ಆತvಹAೆ ಾZ[ೊಂಡು ಮೃತಪ3ರುAಾ^Eೆ. ಮೃAೆಯ gಾRೆ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋYಯು TೕಡುJ^ದ\ ವರದ•ೆ }ರುಕುಳ#ೇ [ಾರಣ#ಾeದು\ ಆ[ೆಯ gಾRೆ ಎ-1 ಆ%ೋY² [ಾರಣ ಾeರುವFದು ಇ6ವ%ೆeನ ತTkೆsಂದ ದೃಢಪ3ರುತ^bೆ. ಆ%ೋYಯು Rರುದˆ ಕಲಂ.498ಎ, 304) ಐYN, ಕಲಂ.3 & 4 ZY [ಾ²\ ಮತು^ ಕಲಂ. 3(2)(V) ಎ N ಎ 3 ಆµ 1989 ಅZಯ6 ಅಪ%ಾಧ ಎಸeದು\ ಆ%ೋYಯ Rರುದ\ UೕಲDಂಡ ಕಲಂ ಗಳ ಅZಯ6 bೋ¤ಾ%ೋಪೆಯನುW >ೊಸ*ಾebೆ.” Though the narration finds some connection to the offence under Section 302 of the IPC, the offence of murder is dropped while sustaining other offences that were alleged in the FIR. The concerned Court takes cognizance of the offence pursuant to the charge sheet so filed, as quoted hereinabove. The petitioner is now before this Court, as observed hereinabove, seeking further investigation or re-investigation into the matter. Therefore, the entire fulcrum of the present lis revolves round what has happened after registration of crime i.e., on 03-06-2023 and the date on which the Police completed investigation and filed the charge sheet 16 before the concerned Court on 28-08-2023 within 90 days of registration of crime. 10. As projected by the learned counsel for the petitioner, this Court found glaring lacunae in the investigation. The beginning is, when the 12th respondent was not found available at the hospital when the body of the wife was lying on a stretcher in the hospital, with nobody to attend as the husband had fled. This is the first instance of causing needle of suspicion upon the 12th respondent. On 03-06-2023 the deceased was brought to the hospital at 6.35 a.m. Despite the Hospital having sent a medico legal case intimation at 6.35 p.m. itself, the police failed to make any contemporaneous entry in the Station House Diary or promptly register an FIR or a UDR. This unexplained delay constitutes the second serious lapse in the investigation. The 12th respondent is said to have shifted the body of the deceased to the St. John’s hospital. After having shifted the deadbody, as observed hereinabove, the 12th respondent disappears for about 14 to 15 hours and after his reappearance comes the suicide note. Therefore, the Investigating Officer ought to have verified the call 17 record details, internet protocol records to ascertain whom the 12th respondent met, where he was hiding for 15 hours, as the suicide note comes up after his re-appearance. The body was kept in the mortuary for a post-mortem and autopsy was done on 04-06-2023. The external examination of the body assumes significance. The said report is as follows: “…. …. …. I. EXTERNAL EXAMINATION Clothes and article found on the dead body: 1. Blue, green and orange floral design churidar. 2. Light brown bra. 3. Dark brown underwear. Ligature material: Yellow veil with a running knot measuring 170cms in length (loop measures 55cms) and bunched width of 3cms. It corresponds with the ligature mark and can withstand the weight of the body. Clothes and ligature material were packed, labelled, sealed and handed over to the concerned Police. Dead body of a female aged about 29years. Dark brown complexion, moderately build and moderately nourished, measuring 5 feet 3 inches. Rigor mortis has passed off in the upper limbs. Postmortem staining seen over the legs and forearms and is fixed with ecchymoses over the legs. Eyes are closed, conjunctiva congested. Finger and toe nailbeds show blueish discolouration. One ECG lead over the chest. Tongue bitten. Faecal stains in the perianal region. Purging of blood stained fluid from the nostrils. Marbling over the face, chest and back. External Injuries: 1. Ligature mark: An oblique, incomplete ligature mark measuring 17cms x 3cms, present on the front and sides of the neck running upwards and backwards and 18 interrupted at nape of the neck. It is situated above the thyroid cartilage, placed 2cms below the left ear lobe, 6cms below the chin and 6cms below the right ear lobe. The skin over the ligature mark is dry, hard and parchmentized. On dissection of the neck, subcutaneous tissues under the ligature mark are pale. Hyoid bone, thyroid cartilage, other bones and cartilages, muscles, blood vessels and nerves are intact. 2. Both eyes contused. 3. Contusion, 7cms x 5cms, over the right cheek 3cms below the outer aspect of right lower eyelid. 4. Contusion, 6cms x 5cms, over the left cheek 3cms below the outer aspect of the left lower eyelid. 5. Contusion, 6cms x 3cms, over the front of the right leg (middle 1/3rd). 6. Multiple contusions, over an area of 10cms x 6cms, varying in size from 3cms x 2cms to 2cms x 2cms over the top (dorsal aspect) of the right foot. 7. Contusion, 3cms x 2cms, over the front of the left leg (upper 1/3rd). 8. Contusion, 3cms x 2cms, over the front of the left leg (middle 1/3rd). Sd/- Dr. SANJAY SUKUMAR MBBS, M.D.(FMT) PROFESSOR KMC Reg. No: 67055 Department of Forensic Medicine St. JOHN'S MEDICAL COLLEGE, Bengaluru - 560 034.” (Emphasis added) 19 Internal examination revealed injuries in the scalp. The internal injuries recorded in the port-mortem report read as follows: “II. INTERNAL EXAMINATION (i) Head and Neck (ii) Chest …. ….. ….. …. ….. ….. DEATH WAS DUE TO ASPHYXIA AS A RESULT OF HANGING. Viscera reserved pending chemical analysis report.” The postmortem examination, conducted on 04-06-2023, as observed hereinabove, assumes critical significance. The external examination disclosed injuries, while internal examination revealed subscalpal haemorrage in the right Scalp Subscalpal haemorrhage, 5cms x 4 cms, over the right fronto-temporal region ……” …. ….. ….. ….. Lungs Intact and congested. Cut section exudes dark blood ……” Nature of injuries Antemortem / Post-mortem Antemortem ligature mark ……” 20 fronto - temporal region. These findings suggestive of blunt force trauma, are conspicuously absent in the investigative narrative. 11. The jurisdictional police did not protect the scene of crime for 24 hours. The crime scene examination conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory detected blood stains in the hall of the house, which matched the blood group of the deceased. Yet, the prosecution theory, continues to be one of suicide by hanging. The allegation is that the 12th respondent – husband, brutally assaulted the wife, dragged her to the bedroom and hanged her to the ceiling fan. The aforenoted circumstances taken cumulatively, cast a deep and disquieting shadow over the conclusions drawn by the Investigating Officer. The crime scene investigation is communicated to the Investigating Officer by the FSL. The communication reads as follows: “To, The Investigating Officer Begur Police Station, Bengaluru 04/06/2023 21 Respected Sir, Sub: Examination of crime scene pertaining to Cr.No-133/2023 U/s 498(a), 302, 201, 304(b), 504, 506 r/w 34, 3(1)r, 3(2)(v) SC&ST act. With reference to the above cited subject, I, Dr.Ashok Chittaragi (Scientific Officer, DNA section) along with Mr.Sanjugouda Patil, Mr. Arvind.T, Mr.Pramod Eligar & Ms.Sakshi Hemant (scence of crime officers) carried out crime scene examination pertaining to cr.no.133/2023 of Begur Police Station on 04/06/2023 from 12:43 PM to 3:30 PM. A detailed examination was carried out and the following evidences were collected and handed over to the Investigating Officer in an unsealed manner for further investigation. 1. Article no.01 - Suspected blood swab collected from the bottom file of the North facing wall. 2. Article no.2 - Suspected blood swab collected from the west facing wall. 3. Article no. 03 - Control swab 4. Article no. 04 - Pen drive (San Disk Cruzer Blade - 8 GB) D33724 5. Article no. 05 - Mobile Phone - real me IMEI 1-860387043050657 IMEI 2-860387043050640 Model - RMX1971 Colour-Purplish Blue Along with charging adapter & cable. 6. Article no.06 - Laptop 'Dell' - Vostro 15. 22 Black colour Reg Model - P63F Intel Core i3; Along with charging adapter & cable. 7. Article no. 07 - Mobile phone - Samsung Found in damaged condition Model - SM-J250F/DS ΙΜΕΙ - 352231/10/424754/4 ΙΜΕΙ - 352232/10/424754/2 Colour - Golden Thanking you, Yours sincerely -Sd- 04/06/2023 (Dr.Ashok Chittaragi) SO, DNA DFSL: Madiwala Bengaluru.” The case of the prosecution is that the deceased had committed suicide by hanging to the ceiling fan. Significantly, the ceiling fan to which the deceased is said to have hanged herself, bears no visible damage or deformation. The crime scene examination and the mahazar conducted by the Investigating Officer would also indicate not a slightest of dent or bend in the ceiling fan. The crime detail form is as follows: 23 “… …. …. ….. 8. ಅಪ%ಾಧ ಸ‰ಳದ ವಣ0 ೆ (Description of the place of occurrence) ಾಂಕ 4.6.2023 ರಂದು ಮxಾಹW 12.20 ಗಂ„ೆ ಸಮಯದ6 ಸ>ಾಯಕ ೕಆಯುಕ^ರು ಮZ#ಾಳ ಉಪ Ryಾಗ X:ೕ ಲ•. ಾ%ಾಯಣ ರವರು ನಮvಗಳನುW ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾೆೆ ಬರ ಾZ[ೊಂಡು ೇಗೂರು ೕ ಾೆ HಕದU ಸಂkೆ 133/2023 ಕಲಂ 498 ಎ 504,506, 302, 304 ), 201 ಸnತ 34 ಐYN ಮತು^ [ಾಲಂ 3(1)(r), 3(2(v)ಎ N & ಎ 3 ಆµ ಪ:ಕರಣದ ಬೆc ನಮvಗ8ೆ ಸಂ•ಪ^#ಾe RವN ನಂತರ ಾೆಯ6ದ\ ಒಬj ವ}^ಯನುW ಇವರ >ೆಸರು #ೆಂಕಟ%ಾಯಪ( ) ಲ-.ಣ 54 ವಷ0 #ಾಸ #ೈ ೊಲ6ಹ89 ಾ:ಮ, @ಂAಾಮB Aಾಲೂ6ಕು, @ಕDಬEಾ9ಪFರ G*ೆ6 ಆeದು\ ಇವರು ಸದ ಪ:ಕರಣದ6ನ ಕೃತ ನqೆದ ಸ‰ಳವನುW AೋಸುವFbಾe J8Nದು\ ಈಗ ಅವರ IೊAೆ >ೋe ಕೃತ ನqೆದ ಸ‰ಳ ಪಂಚ ಾ ಾ ಕ:ಮವನುW ಜರುeಸೇ[ಾeದು\. ಸದ ಪಂಚ ಾಮ [ಾಲದ6 ಪಂಚ%ಾe ಬಂದು ಸಹಕಸುವಂAೆ [ೋ ನಮvಗ8ೆ ೕ ೋ3 TೕZದ Uೕ%ೆೆ ಾವFಗಳa ಒY( ಸದ ೋ3 ೆ Nn >ಾ}bೆವF. ನಂತರ ಸ>ಾಯಕ ೕ ಆಯುಕ^%ಾದ X:ೕ ಲ•.ೕ ಾ%ಾಯಣರವರು ಾೆಯ6ದ\ FSL ತ¶%ಾದ qÁ||ಅ·ೆ¸ೕµ @ತರಂe ಮತು^ ಅವರ NಬjಂರವರುಗಳನುW ನಮೆ ಪಚsN ಇವರು FSL ತ¶%ಾeದು\ ಇವರು ಸಹ ಪಂಚ ಾಮ [ಾಲದ6 >ಾಜರುAಾ^%ೆ ಎಂದು J8Nದರು ನಂತರ ಾವF ಸ‰ಳದ6ದ\ ¹ೕ{ಾ0bಾರರನುW R=ಾNbಾಗ ¹ೕ{ಾ0bಾರ ಮಗಳa Xಲ(R ರವರನುW ೇಗೂರು ಾೆಯ PSI ರUೕV ರವರು 10 ವಷ0ಗ8ಂದ Y:ೕJಸುJ^ದು\ ಮದು#ೆ{ಾಗುವFbಾe J8Nದು\ ನಂತರ ಮದು#ೆಯನುW ಪbೇಪbೇ ಮುಂದುಡುತ ಬಂದು IಾJಯ R=ಾರವನುW ೆಪ ಾZ5 ಮದು#ೆ T%ಾಕNದು\ ನಂತರದ6 ಕು8ತು ಾತ ಾZbಾಗ ರUೕV ರವರು ಮದು#ೆೆ ಒY( 6/7/2022 ರಂದು @ಂAಾಮBಯ ಸ| Gಸ ಕ=ೇಯ6 X*ಾ(ರವರನುW ಮದು#ೆ{ಾe ೇಗೂನ ಪ„ೇz *ೇಔ+ #ೇಣುೋಾz ರವರ ಮ ೆಯ6 ಾZೆೆ #ಾಸ ಾZ[ೊಂZದು\ ಆ ಸಮಯದ6 ರUೕಶನು X*ಾ(ರವೆ IಾJTಂದ ೆ TನWನುW )ಟು ನಮv IಾJಯ6 ಮದು#ೆ{ಾeದ\%ೆ >ೆಚುƒ ವರದ•ೆ NಗುJ^ತು^ ಎಂದು >ೇ8 bೈnಕ ಮತು^ ಾನNಕ nಂgೆ TೕZದು\ ರUೕV ರವರ ಅಣ` X:ೕT#ಾಸನುW ಸಹ ೆದ[ೆ >ಾ}ದು\ ಆ%ೋY ರUೕV ಆತನ ಅಣ`, X:ೕT#ಾ ಮತು^ ಮ ೆಯ ಾಕ #ೇಣುೋಾz ರವರ ಸಹ[ಾರಂದ Xಲ( ರನುW [ೊ*ೆ ಾZರುAಾ^%ೆ >ಾಗೂ ಇAಾ ಎಂದು J8N ಈಗ ನನW ಮಗಳನುW [ೊ*ೆ ಾZರುವ ಸ‰ಳವನುW AೋಸುAೆ^ೕ ೆ ಎಂದು J8Nದರು. ನಂತರ ಸ>ಾಯಕ ೕ ಆಯುಕ^ರು ನಮvನುW Y{ಾದುbಾರರನುW & FSL ತ¶ರನುW >ಾಗೂ ತಮv Nಬjಂಯವ%ೊಂೆ ಸರ[ಾ #ಾಹನದ6 ಮxಾಹW 12:35 ಗಂ„ೆೆ ಾೆsಂದ >ೊರಟು ¹ೕ{ಾ0bಾರರು ಾಗ0 AೋNದಂAೆ ೇಗೂರು ಮುಖ ರgೆ^ಯ ಾಗ0#ಾe ಪ„ೇz *ೇಔ+ ನ 24 2 ೇ [ಾ: ರgೆ^ಯ6ನ ಒಂದು ಮ ೆಯ ಬ8 #ಾಹನವನುW T6ಸುವಂAೆ J8Nದು\. ಆಗ ಾ#ೆಲ6ರೂ #ಾಹನಂದ [ೆಳೆ ಇ8bೆವF ಆಗ ಸಮಯ ಮxಾಹW 12:45 ಗಂ„ೆ{ಾeತು^. ನಂತರ Y{ಾದುbಾರರು ಒಂದು ©°ØAUïನ AೋN ಇbೇ ©°ØAUï£À 3 ೇ ಮಹZಯ6ನ ಮ ೆಯ6 ಕೃತ ನqೆbೆ\ಂದು J8Nದ Uೕ%ೆೆ ಸದ REಾಸವನುW ಪXೕಸ*ಾe ಸ‰ಳವF #ಾಸ ನಂಬ 5, 3 ೇ ಮಹZ, #ೇಣುೋಾz ರವರ )5ಂ-, 2 ೇ [ಾ:, ಪ„ೇz *ೇಔ+ ೇಗೂರು, ೆಂಗಳ!ರು ನಗರದ REಾಸ#ಾeರುತ^bೆ ನಂತರ ¹ೕ{ಾ0ದುbಾರರು ಮುಂದುವ%ೆದು ನಮvನುW ಸದ ©°ØAUïನ 3 ೇ ಮಹZೆ ಕ%ೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಬಂದು\ 3 ೇ ಮಹZಯ6 2 ಮ ೆಗ8ದು\ ಅದರ6 Hದಲ ೆಯ ಮ ೆಯ6 ಅY0ತ ಎಂಬುವವರು #ಾಸ#ಾeದು\ 2 ೇ ಮ ೆಯ6 ¹ೕ{ಾ0ದುbಾರರ ಮಗಳa ಮತು^ ಅ8ಯ #ಾಸ#ಾeರುAಾ^%ೆ ನಂತರ ¹ೕ{ಾ0bಾರರು ೕ ಅ•[ಾಯವರು ಆ%ೋY ಕqೆsಂದ ಪqೆದು[ೊಂZದ\ ಸದ ಮ ೆಯ }ೕಯನುW ಪqೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಮ ೆಯ ಾeಲನುW Aೆ%ೆದು\ ಸದ ಮ ೆಯ ಮುಖ bಾmರವF ಉತ^ರ%ಾºಮುಖ#ಾeದು\ ಒಳ ಪ:#ೇXNbಾಗ ಸು ಾರು 172 * 128 ಇಂಚುಗಳ RN^ೕಣ0ದ >ಾz ಇರುತ^bೆ ಸದ >ಾನ6 ಒಂದು ಮರದ ಮಂಚRದು\ ಅದರ Uೕ*ೆ ೆf ಮತು^ ಂಬುಗ8ರುತ^#ೆ >ಾೆ >ಾಲW ಬಲyಾಗದ6 ಮರದ #ಾಡ0%ೊ| ಮತು^ 3R gಾ‡ಂf ಇದು\, 3R gಾ‡ಂf ನ6 ಪFಸ^ಕಗ8ರುತ^#ೆ, ಅದರ ಪಕDದ6 @ಕDbಾದ bೇವರ[ೋೆ ಇರುತ^bೆ. ಸದ >ಾz Tಂದ ದ•ಣ }Dೆ ಸು ಾರು 85x65 ಇಂ» RN^ೕಣ0ದ }ಚ ರೂ¼ ಇರುತ^bೆ ಸದ }ಚ ನ ಪ½ವ0 }Dೆ #ಾ¾ ೇಸ ಇದು\ ಮತು^ }ಚ ರೂಮv6 Nಂಡ ಾ >ಾಗೂ ಅZೆ gಾಮe:ಗಳa ಇರುತ^#ೆ. ನಂತರ >ಾz ನ nಂyಾಗದ6 ಒಂದು ¨ÉqïgÀÆA ಇದು\ ಪ½ವ0[ೆD ಾeಲನುW >ೊಂದು\ ಒಳ ಪ:#ೇXNbಾಗ ಸು ಾರು 94 * 105 ಇಂಚು ಉದ\ಗಲದ RN^ೕಣ0ವನುW >ೊಂರುತ^bೆ ಮತು^ ಅ„ಾ» ಾ¿ ರೂ¼ ಅನುW ಒಳೊಂZರುತ^bೆ ಸದ ¨ÉqïgÀÆAನ ಮಧyಾಗದ6 =ೇ ಇದು\ ಸದ =ೇ ಪXƒಮ }DTಂದ 24 ಇಂಚು ಮುಂದ[ೆD ದ•ಣ }Dೆ 30 ಇಂಚು ಮುಂದ[ೆD >ಾಗೂ ಪ½ವ0[ೆD 60 ಇಂಚು ಮುಂದ[ೆD ಉತ^ರ }DTಂದ 36 ಇಂಚು ಮುಂದ[ೆD ಇರುತ^bೆ. ನಂತರ Y{ಾ0bಾರರ ¨ÉqïgÀÆA ¨ÁvïgÀÆA ನ ಾeಲ6 )\ದ\ ಒಂದು =ಾಕುವನುW Aೆೆದು AೋN >ಾಜರುಪZN ಅದನುW ಪXೕಸ*ಾe ಅದು ಸು ಾರು 6 ½ ಇಂಚು ಉದ\ದ }ತ^Eೆ ಬಣ`ದ nZ[ೇಯುಳ9 ¹Öïï£À ಒಂದು =ಾಕು ಆeರುತ^bೆ. ಸದ =ಾಕುವನುW ಮುಂನ ಕ:ಮ[ಾDe ಒಂದು ೇಪ J£ïªÀ®¥ï ಕವ ನ6 >ಾ} ಾs ಭದ:#ಾeN ಅದರ Uೕ*ೆ ನಮvಗಳ ಮತು^ ತTkಾ•[ಾಗEೇ ಸnಯನುW ಪqೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಅದನುW ಆ30ಕz ನಂ.1 ಎಂದು ಗುರುJಸ*ಾsತು. ನಂತರ Y{ಾbಾ\ರರು ಸದ ಮ ೆಯ >ಾನ6ನ ೆf Uೕ*ೆ ಇದ\ )ೕಗದ }ೕಯನುW AೋN >ಾಜರುಪZNದು\ ಅದನುW ಪXೕಸ*ಾe ಅದರ padmini ಎಂದು ಅಚುƒ >ಾ}ರುವ ¹Öïï£À ಒಂದು )ೕಗದ }ೕ ಆeದು\ ಅದನುW ಒಂದು ೇಪ J£ïªÀ®¥ï ಕವ ನ6 >ಾ} ಾs ಭದ:ಪZN ಅದರ Uೕ*ೆ ನಮvಗಳ ಮತು^ ತTkಾ•[ಾಗಳ ಸnಯನುW ಪqೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಅದ[ೆD ಆ30ಕz ನಂ.2 ಎಂದು ಗುರುJಸ*ಾsತು. 25 ನಂತರ ತTkಾ [ಾಲದ6 Y{ಾ0bಾರರು ಮತು^ ಪಂ=ಾರ ಸಮ-ಮ >ಾನ6ದ\ 2 ೋ+ ಬುµ ಗಳನುW Aೆೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಅವFಗಳನುW ಒಂbೊಂbಾe ಪXೕN ೋZbಾಗ Hದಲ ೆಯbಾe [ೆಂಪF ಮತು^ ಹNರು ಬಣ`ದ page work ಎಂಬ >ೆಸನ ೋ+ ಬುµ ಆeದು\ ಅದನುW Aೆೆದು ೋZbಾಗ ಮುಖಪFಟದ6 Ramesh S V ಎಂದು ಹಲ#ಾರು ಾ ಸnಗಳನುW ಾZದು\ ಕಂಡುಬಂರುತ^bೆ >ಾಗೂ ಸದ ಪFಸ^ಕದ6 ಒಟು 136 ಪFಟದ6 ಕನWಡ ಮತು^ ಆಂ-ಲ yಾ¤ೆಯ6 ಬ%ೆರುತ^bೆ. ಸದ ೋ+ ಬುµ ಮುಂನ ಕ:ಮ[ೆಂದು ನಮvಗಳ ಸಮ-ಮ ಪಂಚರು ಮತು^ ತTkಾ•[ಾಗಳa ಮತು^ Y{ಾಯ ಸnಯನುW ಪqೆದು[ೊಂಡು ಒಂದು ೇಪ ನ J£ïªÀ®¥ï ಕವ ನ6 >ಾ} ಭದ:ಪZN ಅದರ Uೕ*ೆ ಪಂಚರು ಮತು^ Y{ಾ0 & ತTkಾ•[ಾಗಳ ಸn ಇರುವ *ೇಬz ಗಳನುW ಅಂ3N ಆ30ಕz ನಂ.3 ಎಂದು ಗುರುJಸ*ಾsತು. ನಂತರ ಇ ೊWಂದು ಬುµ ಅನುW ಪXೕಸ*ಾe ಅದು ಹNರು ಬಣ`ದ ಾ6Nµ ಕವ ನ ¸ÉàöÊರz ಬುµ ಆeದು\ ಅದರ6 97 ಪFಟಗ8ರುತ^#ೆ, ಸದ ¸ÉàöÊರz ೈಂZಂ- ಬುµ ನ6 ಮೃತಳa ಆಂಗ6 yಾ¤ೆಯ6 ಒಟು 97 ಪFಟಗಳ6 ಬ%ೆರುವFದು ಕಂಡುಬಂರುತ^bೆ. ನಂತರ ಸದ ¸ÉàöÊರz ೈಂZಂ- ನ ೋ+ ಬುµ ಅನುW ಒಂದು ೇಪ J£ïªÀ®¥ï ಕವ ನ6 >ಾ} ಭದ:ಪZN Nೕಲು ಾZ ಅದರ Uೕ*ೆ ಪಂಚರು Y{ಾ >ಾಗೂ ತTkಾ•[ಾಗಳ ಸn ಇರುವ *ೇಬz ಅನುW ಅಂ3N ಆ30ಕz ನಂ.4 ಎಂದು ಗುರುJಸ*ಾsತು. ಎ*ಾ6 ಆ30ಕz ಗಳ Uೕ*ೆ HRD ಎಂಬ ಆಂಗ6 ಅ-ರದ NೕTಂದ Nೕಲು ಾZರುAೆ^. ನಂತರ ತTkೆಯ ಸಲು#ಾe FSL ತ¶ರು ತTkಾ•[ಾಯವರ ಮನR Uೕ%ೆೆ ಕೃತ ನqೆದ ಸ‰ಳ[ೆD >ಾಜ%ಾe ಸ‰ಳವನುW ಪXೕN ತTkೆಯ ಸಲು#ಾe ಸಂಗ:nN ಾµ ಾZ HRD ಎಂಬ ಆಂಗ6 ಅ-ರದ NೕTಂದ Nೕಲು ಾZ TೕZರುವ 1- Suspected blood swab collected from the bottom file of the North facing wall. 2-Suspected blood swab collected from the west facing wall. 3-Control swab 4-Pen drive (San Disk Cruzer Blade - 8 GB) D33724 5-Mobile Phone - real me Model RMX 1971, colour-purplish blue ΙΜΕΙ 1-860387043050657 IMEI 2-860387043050640 Along with charging adapter & cable. 6-Laptop 'Dell' - Vostro 15. Black colour 26 Model - P63F, Intel Core i3; Along with charging adapter & cable. 7-Mobile phone – Samsung Found in damaged condition Model-SM-J250F/DS ΙΜΕΙ - 352231/10/424754/4 ΙΜΕΙ - 352232/10/424754/2, Colour - Golden ಸದ ಆ30ಕಲcಳ Uೕ*ೆ ಪಂಚರುಗಳ Y{ಾಯ & ತTkಾ•[ಾರವರ ಸn ಇರುವ *ೇಬz ಗಳನುW ಅಂ3N ಅವFಗ8ೆ ಕ:ಮ#ಾe ಆ30ಕz ನಂಬ 5 ಂದ 11 ರವ%ೆೆ ಾµ0 ಾZ ಎ*ಾ6 ಆ30ಕz ನಂ.1 ಂದ 11 ವ%ೆeನ ವಸು^ಗಳನುW ಮುಂನ ಕ:ಮ[ಾDe ನಮvಗಳ ಸಮ-ಮ ೕಸರು ಅ ಾನತು^ ಪZN[ೊಂಡರು ಅಂತ ಜರುeNದ ಪಂಚ ಾU. ಈ ಎ*ಾ6 Rbಾ ಾನಗಳ ಬೆc, ¨ೕ„ೋಗ:¹ ಾZN ಕ=ಾƒ ನÎೆಯನುW ತ{ಾNರುAೆ^. ಈ PÉù£À ಕೃತ ನqೆದ ಸ‰ಳ#ಾದ ¨ÉqïgÀÆAನ ನ RN^ೕಣ0 94 * 105 ಇಂಚುಗಳ RN^ೕಣ0#ಾeದು\ ಸದ ಮ ೆಯ ¨ÉqïgÀÆAನ ಾeಲ @ಲಕವF ಸmಲ( Uೕ*ಾjಗ[ೆD ಬಂರುತ^bೆ ಮತು^ Uೕನ ೋ¯ïÖ ೆಂf ಆeರುತ^bೆ >ಾಗೂ ¨ÉqïgÀÆAನ Nೕಂ- ±ಾ qಾµ0 ೌ: ಬಣ`ದ ಮೂರು %ೆ[ೆDಗ8ಂದ ಕೂZರುತ^bೆ. ಸದ Nೕಂ- ±ಾ Tಂದ =ಾವtÂೆ ಸು ಾರು 12 ಇಂಚು ±ಾ TWಂದ =ೇ ೆ 74 ಇಂಚು =ೇ Tಂದ ೆಲ[ೆD 19 ಇಂಚುಗಳ ಅಂತರRರುತ^bೆ ±ಾ ಯ†ಾ N‰Jಯ6 ಇರುತ^bೆ. ಸ‰ಳ[ೆD =ೆಕುD ಬಂ:- ಪ½ವ0[ೆD : ೇ%ೆಯವೆ gೇದ #ಾಸದ ಮ ೆಗ8ರುತ^#ೆ ಪXƒಮ[ೆD : ಸದ )5ಂ- ನ6ನ ಅY0ತ ಎಂಬುವರು #ಾಸRರುವ ಮ ೆsದು\ ಮುಂದುವ%ೆದು gಾವ0ಜTಕ ರgೆ^ ಇರುತ^bೆ. ಉತ^ರ[ೆD : ಮ ೆಯ ಮುಂyಾಗದ ಾgೆ« ಇದು\ ಮುಂದುವ%ೆದು ೇ%ೆಯವೆ gೇದ kಾT#ೇಶನ ಇರುತ^bೆ. ದ•ಣ[ೆD : kಾ T#ೇಶನ ಇರುತ^bೆ. ಈ ಪಂಚ ಾಮಯನು ಈ ನ ಮxಾಹW 12:45 ಗಂ„ೆsಂದ 16:40 ಗಂ„ೆೆ ವ%ೆೆ ಬ%ೆದು ಮುeNರುAೆ^ ¥ÀAZÁAiÀÄÄÛzÁgÀgÀÄ ಓN [ೇ8bೆ ಸ¬Äbೆ 1) ¸À»/- ¦gÁåzÀÄzÁgÀgÀÄ 27 2) ¸À»/- ¸À»/- ನನW ಸಮ-ಮ ¸À»/- ¸ÀºÁAiÀÄPÀ ¥Éưøï PÀ«ÄõÀ£Àgï ªÀÄrªÁ¼À G¥À-«¨sÁUÀ ¨ÉAUÀ¼ÀÆgÀÄ £ÀUÀgÀ” After all these comes the charge sheet. In the summary of the charge sheet, as noticed hereinabove, except mentioning ligature marks, the Investigating Officer has not indicated anything about the investigation that is conducted. The theory of the prosecution continues to be suicide by hanging. This would become enough circumstance for this Court to intervene and direct conduct of further investigation into the matter, more so, in the light of the fact that 12th respondent is a Police Sub-Inspector, who becomes the Police Sub-Inspector, after having served in the Police Department for 10 years as a constable. The issue now would be, whether this Court must direct further/denovo investigation into the matter by a different Investigating Officer, a Special Investigation Team (‘SIT’) or to the Central Bureau of Investigation. 28 12. The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the investigation is tainted cannot be brushed aside lightly, when the prime accused is a serving Police Officer. The Investigating Agency is required to act with hightened transparency, fairness and objectivity. In the present case, the investigation displays a disturbing casualness or callousness in crucial forensic and circumstantial evidence. While the case undoubtedly warrants further investigation, the Court is not, at this juncture, persuaded to entrust the investigation to the CBI nor permit the State Police machinery through another Investigating Officer to conduct investigation. The interest of justice would be adequately served, if the investigation is now handed over to a Three Member Special Investigation team given the peculiar facts obtaining in the case at hand, as a precious life of the daughter of the petitioner is lost allegedly at the hands of the 12th respondent, the husband, who is himself a Police Sub-Inspector. The SIT shall be headed by a woman IPS Officer, not below the rank of the Inspector General of Police, who would be at liberty to choose the other two team members. 29 13. Owing to the shoddy investigation conducted by the present Investigating Officer, the SIT that would be appointed in terms of this order, shall conduct a denovo investigation and conclude the same within an outer limit of 4 months from the date of commencement of the investigation and place the report of the investigation before the concerned Court. The State shall issue appropriate notification empowering the SIT to submit its report to the concerned Court. Till the investigation report of the investigation is placed before the concerned Court by the SIT, the concerned Court shall not proceed with the matter. 14. For the aforesaid reasons, the following: O R D E R (i) Writ Petition is allowed in part. (ii) This Court directs denovo investigation in Crime No.133 of 2023 and the investigation now ordered shall be conducted by a Three Member Special Investigation Team, which shall be headed by a woman IPS Officer not below the rank of Inspector General of Police, who would be at liberty to choose the other two members. 30 (iii) The entire investigation papers shall be handed over to the SIT. The SIT shall conclude the denovo investigation, bearing in mind the observations made in the course of the order, within an outer limit of 4 months from the date of commencement of investigation. (iv) The SIT shall file its final report before the concerned Court once the said investigation gets complete. (v) Till the report of the investigation is placed before the concerned Court, the Court shall not proceed with the matter in Special Case No.1921 of 2023. (vi) The Registry is directed to transmit a copy of this order to the Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, to do the needful within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of the order and report compliance to this Court. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE bkp CT:MJ