- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 02ND DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 100377 OF 2025 (482(CR.PC)/528(BNSS)) C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 100378 OF 2025 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 100379 OF 2025 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 100382 OF 2025 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 100385 OF 2025 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 100386 OF 2025 IN CRL.P NO. 100377/2025 BETWEEN: 1. M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, HAVING ITS REGD. OFFICE AT 1276/A, MAIN BAZAAR ROAD, SANDUR-583119 DIST. BALLARI, R/BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEW CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 2. SMT. M. ASHARANI W/O. M. SHIVARAJ D/O. CHIDANANDAPPA SALI, AGE. 36 YEARS, OCC. PARTNER OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. 6TH WARD, MAIN BAZAAR, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 3. SMT. SHEELA W/O. B. CHIRANJIVI D/O. KUDUTINI VEERANNA VENKATESH, AGE. 42 YEARS, OCC. PARTNER OF M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEW CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. Digitally signed by CHANDRASHEKAR LAXMAN KATTIMANI Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS 4. M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DRIVER OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 5. B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEAR CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 6. G. SANTOSH KUMAR S/O. GIRIDHAR AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. 169, 14TH WARD, NEAR OLD BUS STOP, L.B. COLONY, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHIVARAJ S. BALLOLI, ADVOCATE) AND: SHRI. GOGGA BASAVA KUMAR S/O. GOGGA GURUSIDDAIAH AGE. 28 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. N.C. COLONY, HOSAPETE, DIST. VIJAYANAGAR-583203. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MANJUNATH GANTI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRUTHVIRAJ P. HITTALAMANI, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 528 OF BNSS, PRAYING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 05.11.2024 PASSED BY THE PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE IN PCR NO.851/2024 AND CONSEQUENTLY QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN CC NO.7737/2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE FOR THE COMMISSION OF ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/S 138 OF N.I. ACT, IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.1 TO 6 ARE CONCERNED. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS IN CRL.P NO. 100378/2025 BETWEEN: 1. M/S ZEST FERRO BENIFICATION PVT. LTD., A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, HAVING ITS REGD. OFFICE AT 1276/A, MAIN BAZAAR ROAD, SANDUR-583119 DIST. BALLARI, R/BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST FERRO BENIFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 2. M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 3. B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEAR CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 4. G. SANTOSH KUMAR S/O. GIRIDHAR AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 169, 14TH WARD, NEAR OLD BUS STOP, L.B. COLONY, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHIVARAJ S. BALLOLI, ADVOCATE) AND: SHRI. GOGGA BASAVA KUMAR S/O. GOGGA GURUSIDDAIAH AGE. 28 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. N.C. COLONY, HOSAPETE, DIST. VIJAYANAGAR-583203. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MANJUNATH GANTI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRUTHVIRAJ - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS P. HITTALAMANI, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C. (528 OF BNSS), PRAYING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 05.11.2024 PASSED BY THE PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE IN PCR NO.855/2024 (NOW NUMBERED AS CC NO.7765/2024) AND CONSEQUENTLY QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN CC NO.7765/2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE FOR THE COMMISSION OF ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/S 138 OF N.I. ACT, IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.1 TO 4 ARE CONCERNED. IN CRL.P NO. 100379/2025 BETWEEN: 1. M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, HAVING ITS REGD. OFFICE AT 1276/A, MAIN BAZAAR ROAD, SANDUR-583119 DIST. BALLARI, R/BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEW CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 2. SMT. M. ASHARANI W/O. M. SHIVARAJ D/O. CHIDANANDAPPA SALI, AGE. 36 YEARS, OCC. PARTNER OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. 6TH WARD, MAIN BAZAAR, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 3. SMT. SHEELA W/O. B. CHIRANJIVI D/O. KUDUTINI VEERANNA VENKATESH, AGE. 42 YEARS, OCC. PARTNER OF - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEW CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 4. M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DRIVER OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 5. B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEAR CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 6. G. SANTOSH KUMAR S/O. GIRIDHAR AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. 169, 14TH WARD, NEAR OLD BUS STOP, L.B. COLONY, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHIVARAJ S. BALLOLI, ADVOCATE) AND: SHRI. GOGGA GURUSIDDAIAH S/O. GOGGA CHANNABASAIAH AGE. 55 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. N.C. COLONY, HOSAPETE, DIST. VIJAYANAGAR-583203. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MANJUNATH GANTI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRUTHVIRAJ P. HITTALAMANI, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 528 OF BNSS 2023, PRAYING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 05.11.2024 PASSED BY THE PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE IN PCR NO.854/2024 AND CONSEQUENTLY QUASH THE ENTIRE - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS PROCEEDINGS IN CC NO.7764/2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRL.CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE FOR THE COMMISSION OF ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/S 138 OF N.I. ACT, IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO.1 TO 6 ARE CONCERNED. IN CRL.P NO. 100382/2025 BETWEEN: 1. M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, HAVING ITS REGD. OFFICE AT 1276/A, MAIN BAZAAR ROAD, SANDUR-583119 DIST. BALLARI, R/BY ITS AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEW CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 2. SMT. M. ASHARANI W/O. M. SHIVARAJ D/O. CHIDANANDAPPA SALI, AGE. 36 YEARS, OCC. PARTNER OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. 6TH WARD, MAIN BAZAAR, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 3. SMT. SHEELA W/O. B. CHIRANJIVI D/O. KUDUTINI VEERANNA VENKATESH, AGE. 42 YEARS, OCC. PARTNER OF M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEW CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 4. M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DRIVER OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP, R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS 5. B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEAR CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 6. G. SANTOSH KUMAR S/O. GIRIDHAR AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST METAL MINERALS LLP R/O. 169, 14TH WARD, NEAR OLD BUS STOP, L.B. COLONY, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHIVARAJ S. BALLOLI, ADVOCATE) AND: SHRI. GOGGA KARTHIK SWAMY S/O. GOGGA CHANNABASAVARAJ AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. N. C. COLONY, HOSAPETE, DIST. VIJAYANAGAR-583203. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MANJUNATH GANTI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRUTHVIRAJ P. HITTALAMANI, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 528 OF BNSS 2023, SEEKING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 05.11.2024 PASSED BY THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE IN PCR NO. 853/2024 (NOW C.C.NO. 7763/2024) AND CONSEQUENTLY, QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO.7763/2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE FOR THE COMMISSION OF ALLEGED OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/S 138 OF N.I. ACT, IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO. 1 TO 6 ARE CONCERNED. - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS IN CRL.P NO. 100385/2025 BETWEEN: 1. M/S ZEST FERRO BENIFICATION PVT. LTD., A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, HAVING ITS REGD. OFFICE AT 1276/A, MAIN BAZAAR ROAD, SANDUR-583119 DIST. BALLARI, R/BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST FERRO BENIFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 2. M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 44 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 3. B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 47 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEAR CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 4. G. SANTOSH KUMAR S/O. GIRIDHAR AGE. 44 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 169, 14TH WARD, NEAR OLD BUS STOP, L.B. COLONY, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHIVARAJ S. BALLOLI, ADVOCATE) AND: SHRI. GOGGA KARTHIKSWAMY S/O GOGGA CHANNABASAIAH AGE. 55 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. N. C. COLONY, HOSAPETE, DIST. VIJAYANAGAR-583201. ...RESPONDENT - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS (BY SRI. MANJUNATH GANTI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRUTHVIRAJ P. HITTALAMANI, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION U/S. 528 OF BNSS, 2023 PRAYING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 05.11.2024 PASSED BY THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE IN PCR NO. 852/2024 (NOW C.C.NO. 7762/2024) AND CONSEQUENTLY, QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO. 7762/2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE FOR THE COMMISSION OF ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/SEC. 138 OF NI ACT, IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO. 1 TO 4 ARE CONCERNED. IN CRL.P NO. 100386/2025 BETWEEN: 1. M/S ZEST FERRO BENEFICIATION PVT. LTD., A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, HAVING ITS REGD. OFFICE AT 1276/A, MAIN BAZAAR ROAD, SANDUR-583119 DIST. BALLARI, R/BY ITS AUTHORISED SIGNATORY M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST FERRO BENIFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 2. M. SHIVARAJ S/O. M. SHANKRAPPA AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 67, ELIGAR STREET, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. 3. B. CHIRANJIVI S/O. K. BUDDANNA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S FERRO BENIFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. HOUSE NO.381, 14TH WARD, NEAR CHAPPARADAHALLI, NEAR ZANDA KATTA, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS 4. G. SANTOSH KUMAR S/O. GIRIDHAR AGE. 45 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF M/S. ZEST FERRO BENEFICATION PVT. LTD., R/O. 169, 14TH WARD, NEAR OLD BUS STOP, L.B. COLONY, TQ. SANDUR, DIST. BALLARI-583119. ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. SHIVARAJ S. BALLOLI, ADVOCATE) AND: SHRI. GOGGA GURUSIDDAIAH S/O. GOGGA CHANNABASAIAH, AGE. 55 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. N. C. COLONY, HOSAPETE, DIST. VIJAYANAGAR-583203. ...RESPONDENT (BY SRI. MANJUNATH GANTI, ADVOCATE FOR SRI. PRUTHVIRAJ P. HITTALAMANI, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 528 OF BNSS, 2023 SEEKING TO ALLOW THE PETITION AND SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 05.11.2024 PASSED BY THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE IN PCR NO. 850/2024 (NOW C.C.NO. 7761/2024) AND CONSEQUENTLY, QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO. 7761/2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE PRINCIPAL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC, HOSAPETE FOR THE COMMISSION OF ALLEGED OFFENCES P/U/SEC. 138 OF NI ACT, IN SO FAR AS THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO. 1 TO 4 ARE CONCERNED. THESE CRIMINAL PETITIONS COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS ORAL ORDER Heard Sri Shivraj S. Ballolli, learned counsel for the petitioners, Sri Manjunath Ganti, advocate for Sri Pruthviraj P. Hittalamani, learned counsel for the respondent. 2. Petitioners are the accused challenging the Order passed by the learned Trial Magistrate in C.C.No.7737/2024, C.C.No.7765/2024, C.C.No.7764/2024, C.C.No.7763/2024, C.C.No.7762/2024 and C.C.No.7761/2024. 3. The ground for quashing of the proceedings is that, as per Section 223 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, before taking cognizance, accused must be heard. As such, taking cognizance is incorrect. 4. It is settled principles of law and requires no emphasis that the provisions of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, would not be applicable to the trial under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, as proceedings for the said offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument is stand alone statute. Only to fill up the vacuum in the procedure, provisions of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, can be imported. - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1433 CRL.P No. 100377 of 2025 C/W CRL.P No. 100378 of 2025 CRL.P No. 100379 of 2025 AND 3 OTHERS 5. Therefore, the contentions urged on behalf of the petitioners cannot be countenanced in law. 6. Accordingly, the following: ORDER (i) Petitions are dismissed. (ii) However, all the available defences to the petitioners in all these cases are kept open to be urged in the trial in accordance with law. Sd/- (V.SRISHANANDA) JUDGE kcm, CT:CMU LIST NO.: 3 SL NO.: 31