- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1377 CRL.P No. 13381 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 9TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH CRIMINAL PETITION NO.13381 OF 2025 BETWEEN: 1. JITHESH GOWDA, S/O LOKESH, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, R/AT SORANJA HOUSE, PERALU POST, MANDEKOLU VILLAGE, SULLIA TALUK, D.K.DISTRICT-574 239. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. DHANANJAY KUMAR, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY SULIA P.S, SULIA, D.K., REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU-560 001. 2. SMT. JYOTHSNA KARKADA, W/O KIRAN JATHANNA, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, R/AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL QUARTERS, SULLIA, KASABA VILLAGE, SULLIA TALUK (D.K)-574 239. …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT. RASHMI PATEL, HCGP FOR R1; R2 - SERVED AND UNREPRESENTED) Digitally signed by DEVIKA M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1377 CRL.P No. 13381 of 2025 THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 483 BNNS) PRAYING TO RELEASE THE PETITIONER ON BAIL IN CR.NO.67/2021 IN SPL.CASE NO.5039/2021 REGISTERED BY THE SULIA P.S., ON THE FILE OF V ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, MANGALURU SITTING AT PUTTUR, FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 376(2)(i) OF IPC AND SECTIONS 4 AND 12 OF POCSO ACT. THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH ORAL ORDER Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent No.1 State. 2. This Court vide order dated 24.05.2023 in Crl.P.No.3102/2023 passed an order considering the evidence of the victim as well as medical evidence that the Trial Court has to appreciate the evidence on merits and this Court cannot sit and usurp the jurisdiction of the Trial Court to consider the matter on merits. Even inspite of this order was passed on 24.05.2023, till date the matter is not disposed of. Hence, the Trial Court is directed to take up the matter on day-to-day basis and dispose of the same within 75 days from today. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1377 CRL.P No. 13381 of 2025 3. The Registry is directed to communicate this order forthwith to the concerned Presiding Officer as well as the learned counsel appearing for the accused. The learned High Court Government Pleader is directed to communicate this order forthwith to the concerned. The State is directed to assist the Trial Court in disposal of the case within a period of 75 days without seeking any adjournment. 4. Accordingly, this petition is disposed of. Sd/- (H.P.SANDESH) JUDGE MD List No.: 1 Sl No.: 3