- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1645 CRL.A No. 2816 of 2013 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA,AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 5TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 2816 OF 2013 (C) BETWEEN: K. RUDRAPPA S/O. LATE VEERBHADRAPPA AGE: 42 YEARS, OCC: TALUKA SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, R/O. BELLARY, TQ AND DIST: BELLARY. …APPELLANT (BY SRI. T. HANUMAREDDY, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA (POLICE SECTION), BELLARY. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. SANTOSH B. MALAGOUDAR, SPECIAL PP.) THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 374(2) OF CR.P.C. PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION DATED 10.10.2013 AND SENTENCE DATED 23.10.2013, PASSED IN SPL. CASE NO.30/2007, BY THE PRL. SESSIONS JUDGE AND SPL. JUDGE, BELLARY, CONSEQUENTLY ACQUIT APPELLANT BY ALLOWING THIS APPEAL. THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: Digitally signed by CHANDRASHEKAR LAXMAN KATTIMANI Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:1645 CRL.A No. 2816 of 2013 ORAL JUDGMENT (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA) 1. Warrant issued to the appellant received with an endorsement ‘appellant is no more’ along with death certificate. 2. As per the death certificate, appellant said to have died on 16.04.2020. 3. Accordingly, the appeal stands dismissed as abated. 4. Pursuant to the notice, surety is present. His presence is dispensed Sd/- (V.SRISHANANDA) JUDGE SMM, CT:CMU LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 1