- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:2310 CRL.P No. 101599 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA,AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 101599 OF 2023 (482(CR.PC)/528(BNSS)) BETWEEN: 1. MANJUNATH S/O BADIYA GONDA AGE. 48 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/O. KOPPA VILLAGE, TQ. HONAVAR, DIST. UTTARA KANNADA 581421. 2. BABU S/O JHON TONDITTAL AGE. 49 YEARS, OCC. AGRICULTURE, R/O. KOPPA VILLAGE, TQ. HONAVAR, DIST. UTTARA KANNADA 581421. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. GANAPATI M. BHAT, ADVOCATE) AND: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY RFO MANKI RANGE, REPRESENTED BY SPP, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH, AT. DHARWAD 583011. …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. KIRTILATA R. PATIL, HCGP) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/SEC. 482 OF CR.P.C. SEEKING TO ALLOW THE AND QUASH CC NO.69/2019 (CRIME NO.23/2015-16 OF MANKI FOREST) PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE COURT OF ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC BHATKAT FOR AN OFFENCES PUNISHABLE U/S 24(C)(II), 24(E), 62, 74, 90, 104A, (8), 104B OF KARNATAKA FOREST ACT, 1963, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE. CHANDRASHEKAR LAXMAN KATTIMANI Digitally signed by CHANDRASHEKAR LAXMAN KATTIMANI Date: 2026.02.17 16:59:19 +0530 - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:2310 CRL.P No. 101599 of 2023 THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA) Learned counsel for the petitioners has filed a memo seeking withdrawal of the petition. The memo reads as under: "It is submitted that, in the above said matter the petitioners sought quashing of proceedings in C.C.No.69/2019 pending on the file of Addl. Civil Judge and JMFC Court, Bhatkal for an offences punishable U/Secs. 24(c) (ii), 24(e), 62, 74, 90, 104A (8), 104B of Karnataka Forest Act, 1963. It is submitted that, before the trial Court, petitioners filed application U/Sec.468 of Cr.P.C. to discharge the petitioners on the ground that, forest officers have no jurisdiction to investigate offences punishable under IPC and file charge sheet and further final report filed after the lapse of the limitation period. But trial court rejected application for discharge and subsequently framed charges and listed the case for recording evidence. Wherefore, the Hon’ble High Court be please to permit the petitioners to withdraw above petition with liberty to approach jurisdictional court on dismissal of discharge application if necessary, in the interest of justice and equity.” - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC-D:2310 CRL.P No. 101599 of 2023 Placing the memo on record, the petition is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty as prayed for. Sd/- (V.SRISHANANDA) JUDGE SMM CT-CMU LIST NO.: 1 SL NO.: 101