- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 8070 OF 2025 BETWEEN: 1. DEVARAJ H.D, S/O HAMARANTHAPPA WASTER. AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, RESIDING AT 55A, 37, 2ND MAIN, 6TH CROSS, MADDURAMMA LAYOUT, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 079. 2. SMT.JANABAI, W/O.HANUMANTHAPPA WASTER, AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 55A, 37, 2ND MAIN, 6TH CROSS, MADDURAMMA LAYOUT, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 079. 3. SRI.MANJUNATH, S/O. HANUMANTHAPPA WASTER, AGED ABOUT 29 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 55A, 37, 2ND MAIN, 6TH CROSS, MADDURAMMA LAYOUT, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 079. 4. SMT.BHARATHI.H.D, W/O.KRISHNA PANCHANGE.T, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS, RESIDING AT 55A, 37, 2ND MAIN, 6TH CROSS, MADDURAMMA LAYOUT, Digitally signed by SANJEEVINI J KARISHETTY Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 079. 5. SRI. KRISHNA T ST. THIMMANNA BHATTAR. AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS. RESIDING AT NO. 55A, 37, 2ND MAIN, 6TH CROSS, MADDURAMMA LAYOUT, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 079. 6. KASHIRAI BHORATH ALIAS LAKSHMI. W/O NAMDEV SHASTRY. AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS. RESIDING AT NO.83, 6th CROSS ROAD, NEAR PANDURANGA TEMPLE, MADDURAMA LAYOUT, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 091. 7. KAVERI BHORATH, D/O.NAMADEVA BHORATH, AGED ABOUT 18 YEARS, RESIDING AT 83/4, 14TH MAIN. PIPE ROAD, NEAR PANDURANGA TEMPLE, SRINIVASA NAGAR, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 091. 8. SRI. KRISHNA BHORATH, S/O.NAMADEVA BHORATH, AGED ABOUT 22 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 83/4, 14TH MAIN, PIPE ROAD, NEAR PANDURANGA TEMPLE, SRINIVASA NAGAR, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 091. - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 9. SMT. JANA PANCHANGE, S/O.NAMADEVA BHORATH, AGED ABOUT 46 YEARS, R/A NO.37/1, 6th CROSS ROAD, MADDURAMA LAYOUT, SUNKADAKATTE, BANGALORE - 560 091. 10. SRI. MANJUNATH PANCHANGE ALIAS MANJUNATH BHATTAR S/O THIMANNA BHARTAR, AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, RESIDING AT NO. 37, 6 MAIN ROAD, B CROSS, MADURAMMA BADAVANE, SUNKADAKATTE, ANJALI CONVENT, VISWANEEDAM, BANGALORE - 560 091. …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. ANIL SHEKAR K.S, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA BY WEST WOMEN POLICE STATION, BANGALORE - 560 023. REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. SMT. CHAITRA SHINDE W/O. DEVARAJ, AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS, - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 NO.12 SHREEANJANEYA NILAYA, 2ND MAIN, 12TH CROSS, NAGARBHAVI IIND STAGE, PAPAREDDYPLAYA, BANGALORE - 560 072. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. K. NAGESHWARAPPA, HCGP FOR R1; SRI. A.N. JAGADISH SHASTRI, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.PC (FILED U/S 528 BNSS) PRAYING TO 1). QUASH FIR NO. 0029/2025 REGISTERED AT WEST WOMEN POLICE STATION, WEST DIVISION, BANGALORE, FOR OFFENCES UNDER SECTIONS 498A, 323, 494, 417, 504, 506, 149 IPC AND SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF THE DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA ORAL ORDER The petitioners are accused Nos.1 to 10. They stand at the doors of this Court calling in question proceedings in C.C.No.13849/2025 registered for offences punishable under Sections 498A, 323, 494, 417, 504, 506, 149 of the Indian - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 Penal Code, 1860 ('the IPC' for short) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. 2. Heard Anil Shekar K.S., learned counsel appearing for the petitioners; Sri. K. Nageshwarappa, learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent No.1 and Sri. A.N. Jagadish Shastri, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2. 3. Respondent No.2 is the complainant. The petitioner No.1/accused No.1 is the husband. All others, family members of the husband, except accused No.7, who is said to be the alleged second wife and the other accused, the parents of the alleged second wife. All of them are dragged into the web of crime by registering a complaint against these accused by respondent No.2, which becomes a crime in crime No.29/2025 for the afore-quoted offences. The accused No.1 and respondent No.2/complainant get married on 20.05.2021. It transpires that the relationship between the two soon flounders. On floundering of the relationship, the parties were before the Family Court in MC.No.1/2023, wherein the husband and the wife settled the dispute by seeking to rejoin. - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 Differences arose after the settlement, the rejoining never happened. Therefore, another proceeding is instituted by petitioner No.1 seeking dissolution of marriage in MC.No.4637/2024. Immediately thereafter, complaint sprang from the hands of the complainant against the petitioners or the family members. The subject complaint forms the third in line, this becomes a crime in crime No.29/2025 for the afore- quoted offences. The Police conduct investigation and file a charge sheet before the concerned Court again for the afore- quoted offences and the matter is now registered as C.C.No.13849/2025. Registration of the C.C. is what has driven the petitioners to this Court in the subject petition. 4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would vehemently contend that none of the ingredients that are necessary to drive home the allegations that are levelled against the petitioners are present in the case at hand. Insofar as the offence under Section 498A of the IPC is concerned, the learned counsel would submit none of the complaints in any manner would indicate any cruelty from the hands of the husband or the family members qua the demand of dowry. The - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 learned counsel further submits that the offence under Section 494 of the IPC is roped in only on a suspicion that the husband may have got married to accused No.7. Therefore, the learned counsel seeks quashment of the entire proceedings. 5. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2/complainant would vehemently refute the submissions in contending that respondent No.7 is the second wife of the petitioner. There are photographs, accused No.7 is now carrying and the father is accused No.1/ petitioner No.1. He would submit demand of dowry is clearly brought out in the complaint and the charge sheet and therefore, it is a matter of trial for the petitioners to come out clean. 6. The learned High Court Government Pleader would toe the lines of the learned counsel appearing for the complainant in seeking dismissal of the petition, submitting that it is a matter of trial for the petitioners to come out clean. 7. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the available material on record. - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 8. The afore-narrated facts are a matter of record. Petitioner No.1 and the complainant get married on 20.05.2021 and on the relationship getting floundered they are before the concerned Court in MC.No.1/2023, where they settled the dispute amongst themselves. The settlement was for rejoining. Therefore, till the said date there cannot be any allegation of Section 498A of the IPC or otherwise. The complainant does not rejoin on the manifold reasons, but seeks to register a crime for the offence punishable under Section 498A of the IPC or the other offences as alleged against the husband, whom she never rejoined later. The allegation is that there is demand of dowry and cruelty meted out on demand of dowry and all the other accused have joined hands together and got accused No.7 married to petitioner No.1/accused No.1. Therefore, the complaint is registered in the year 2025. Since the entire issue is now triggered from the complaint, it becomes necessary to notice the complaint. The complaint reads as follows: "ರವೆ ೕ ಇೆಕ ಮಾ ೕ ಾೆ ( ಪಮ ಾಗ ) ಾಗ ರೆ ಾಗ - 9 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 ಇಂದ "ೈತ% w/o &ೇವ'ಾಜು H. D. 26 ವಷ+ No 12. Eerayyana palya, ,ಾಪ'ೆ-,ಾಳ/, ಾಗರ0ಾ 2ೇ, ಹಂತ 0ೆಂಗಳ2ರು. 8105296897 ಾನ/'ೆ ಷಯ :- ನನ5 ಗಂಡಾದ &ೇವ'ಾಜ ಅ8ೆ ಜನ0ಾ9 :ೖ&ಾ ಮಂಜುಾಥ, ಾ<= ಾರ?, ಮತು ಆAೆಯ ಗಂಡ ಕೃಷC ಪಂ"ೆೆ ರವರುಗಳD Eಾಗೂ ನನ5ಾಂಡ &ೇವ'ಾಜು ಎರಡೇ ಮದುHೆIಾJರುವ ಹುಡುJ AಾHೇ 0ೋರK ಅವರ 8ಾ9 ಕಾ9 &ೇವ'ಾಜ ರವರ LಕMಮN ಜನ ಮತು ಆAೆಯ ಗಂಡ ಮಂಜುಾO ರವರು ನನೆ ವರದPೆೆ ತರುವಂ8ೆ ಾನQಕHಾJ &ೈಕHಾJ ಮತು ನನೆ EೆLನ ವರದRೆ ತರುವಂ8ೆ Sರುಕುಳ =ೕ ಮೆ9ಂದ EೊರEಾS ನನ5 ಗಂಡ=ೆ ಎರಡೇ ಮದುHೆ ಾರುವ :ೕTೆ ನಮೂ<Qರುವ ವ/Sಗಳ ರುದU Aಾನೂನು ೕ? ಕ%ಮ ಜರುJಸುವಂ8ೆ =ೕದ ದೂರು. ಈ :ೕನ ಷಯAೆM ಸಂಬಂYQದಂ8ೆ ನಮೆ ಸಂಬಂYಕಂದ ಒಂದು ಮದುHೆ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಬಂ<ದು\ ಗುರು ಯರು Eಾಗೂ ನನ5 ಮೆಯವರು ೇ ಬಂದವನು ಒ]^Aೊಂಡು =8ಾಥ+ವನು5 ಬಸHೇಶ`ರನಗರದ =ಸಗ+ ಕೆ`ನ5a Eಾb ನc ನನ5 -ಮತು ನನ5 ಅಣCಾದ ಾರು? ರವರ =8ಾಥ+ ಒಂ&ೇ ಸಮಯದc ಜರುJದು\ ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯವರು =8ಾಥ+ ಸಮಯದc ಗಂೆ ೈa ಮತು ಉಂಗುರವನು5 =ೕ ಅದೂ\IಾJ ಮದುHೆ ಾ Aೊಡ0ೇAೆಂದು Aೋದು\ ಾವf ಮದುHೆಯನು5 ಅವರ ಒ8ಾಯದ ಪ%Aಾರ ಾAೊಡು8ೇHೆ ಎಂದು ?gQ ಮದುHೆಯನು5 :ೕ 20 2021 ಅವರc ನhೆಸ0ೇAೆಂದು =ಧ+Q ಮದುHೆಯನು5 0ಾಗಲAೋjೆಯ ಇಳಕb 8ಾಲೂಕು AೋHಾಳ ಾ%ಮದc ಾಡಲು =ಧ+Q ಮದುHೆಯನು5 <ಾಂಕ 20 ಐದು 2021 ರಂದು AೋHಾಳ ಾ%ಮದc ನಮN ಮೆಯ ಮುಂ&ೆ ಹುಡುಗನ ಮೆಯವರು Eೇgದಂ8ೆ ಎTಾc ಒಡHೆಗಳನು5 30 ಾ%l ಗಂೆ Eಾಗೂ ನನೆ ಒಂದು ೆಕ Tಾಂm "ೈa S ಓTೆ ಎರಡು oೊ8ೆ Aೈಬೆ 0ಾ%ೇp ಎTಾc ೇ 100 ಾ%ಂ Lನ5ವನು5 Eಾಗೂ ಬjೆ ಬ'ೆ ಎTಾc ೇ ಮೂರು ಲR ಹಣ ಖಚು+ ಾ ಮದುHೆಯನು5 ಾದು\ ಮದುHೆIಾದ ನಂತರ ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯದ 0ೆಂಗಳ2ನ ನಂಬ 37, 2 ೇ ಮುಖ/ರೆ ಆರೇ Hಾs+ ಮದೂ\ರಮN - 10 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 Tೇಔp, ಸುಂಕದಕu 0ೆಂಗಳ2ರು ಇcೆ ಬಂದು ಸಂಾರ ಶುರು ಾ&ೆ\ೕHೆ ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಸಂಾರ ಒಟು ಕುಟುಂಬHಾJದು\ ನನ5 oೊ8ೆಯc ಅ8ೆ ಜನ 0ಾ9 :ೖ&ಾ ಮಂಜುಾಥ ಾ<= ಾರ?ೕ ಆAೆ ಗಂಡ ಕೃಷC Hಾwಂೆ ಎಲcರೂ ಒuೆ HಾಸHಾJದು\ ನನ5ನು5 ಮದುHೆIಾದ ಮೂರು ?ಂಗಳD "ೆಾ5J ೋAೊಂದು\ ನಂತರ ನನ5 ಗಂಡ ಮತು :ೖದುನ ಾ<= ಾ<= ಗಂಡ ಎಲcರೂ ೇAೊಂಡು ಾವf Eೊಸ&ಾJ ಾಲ ಾ ಮೆ ಕuರು8ೇHೆ ಮೆಯ ಾಲ oಾQ ಇರುವfದಂದ ನನ5 ತವರು ಮೆ9ಂದ ಹಣವನು5 8ೆೆದುAೊಂಡು 0ಾ ಎಂದು ಹ Aೇgದರು ನನ5 ತವರು ಮೆಯವರು ಈಾಗTೇ ಎರಡು ಮದುHೆ ಾರುವfದಂದ ಅವರ ಮೆಯc ಹಣ ಇಲc ಎಂದು Eೇg&ಾಗ ನನ5 :ೕTೆ ಮೆಯವರು ಎಲcರೂ Aೋಪೊಂಡು ಸಣCಪfಟ "ಾರಗgೆ ಜಗಳ 8ೆೆದು ಗTಾjೆ ಾಡು? ದ\ರು ನನ5 ಗಂಡ ಪ%?<ನ ನನ5 :ೕTೆ ಅTೆcೕ ಾಡುವfದು ಅHಾಚ ಶಬ\ಗgಂದ ಬಯಸುವfದು oಾQIಾJ&ೆ ಅ&ೇ ಸಮಯದc ಾನು ಗx+yIಾJದು\ ನನ5 ಆ'ೋಗ/ದ ಸಸ/ ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯವರು Aೊಡುವ Sರುಕುಳ<ಂದ ತುಂ0ಾ 8ೊಂದ'ೆ ಆJರುತ&ೆ ನನ5 ಮೆಯವೆ ಇc ನhೆಯು? ರುವ "ಾರವನು5 ?gಸ0ಾರ&ೆಂದು ಎzೇ ಪ%ಯತ5 ಪಟರು ಸQAೊಂಡು ನನ5 ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸಮೆ/9ಂದ ?gಸ0ೇAಾದ ಪQ{? ಇಂ&ಾJ ಅವೆ ?gQ ಕ'ೆQದು\ ಅವರುಗಳD ನಮN ಇಬ|ಗೂ ಮತು ನನ5 ಗಂಡ=ೆ ಬು<\Hಾದ Eೇg EೋJರು8ಾ'ೆ ಆದರೂ ಪ%?<ನ ಅವರ Sರುಕುಳ ಕ:IಾJ&ೆ =ನ5ಂತಹ ಏನೂ ಇಲcದವಳನು5 ಮದುHೆIಾJ ತಪf^ ಾ&ೆ\ೕHೆ ನಮೆ ಉತಮ ಸಂಬಂಧಗಳD ಬರು? ದು\ ಆದರೂ ಾವf =ನ5ಂತಹ ದದ%&ೊಳನು5 ಮದುHೆ ಾAೊಂಡು ನಮN ಸಂಾರ Eೊಂ&ಾyAೆ ಆಗು? ಲc ಎಂದು ೕIಾgQ ಾತಾಡು? ದ\ರು ಇದಂದ ನನ5 ಮನQೆ ತುಂ0ಾ ೋವf ಉಂjಾJ ಾನQಕHಾJ ಕುJ~ EೋJರು8ೇೆ ನನ5 ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸಮೆ/ ?ೕವ%HಾJ ಉಲ|ಣೊಂದು\ ನನ5 ತವರುಮೆೆ ?gQದು\ ನನ5 8ಾ9ಯವರು ಬಂದು LS8ೆಾJ ಊೆ ಕ'ೆದುAೊಂಡು Eೋದರು ನನೆ 6:30 ?ಂಗಳc ನನ5 ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸಮೆ/9ಂದ ಇೇ ಆJರುತ&ೆ ಾವf ಕಷಪಟು ಆ ಮಗುವನು5 ಉgQAೊಳ€0ೇAಾದ ಪ%ಸಂಗ ಎದು'ಾಗುತ&ೆ ನಮೆ EೆಣುC ಮಗು ಆJರುವfದಂದ ಮಗುವನು5 ೋಡಲು ಇcಯವ'ೆಗೂ ಬಂ<ರುವf<ಲc ಒಂದು Hೇೆ ಾವf ಬರ0ೇAಾದ'ೆ ನಮೆ EೆLನ ವರದRೆ =ೕಡ0ೇಕು =ೕವf ಮದುHೆ ಸಂದಭ+ದc ಸIಾJ ಮದುHೆ ಾ Aೊuರುವf<ಲc ಎಂದು ಆ,ಾ<ಸು8ಾ'ೆ ನನ5 ಮತು ನನ5 ಮಗುನ ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸ ಇಲcದ Aಾರಣ ಮತು ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯವರ Sರುಕುಳ<ಂದ ಾನು ತವರು ಮೆಯc‚ೕ ಉgಯ0ೇAಾದ ಪ%ಸಂಗ ಬಂ<ರುತ&ೆ - 11 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 <ಾಂಕ 21 12 2023 ರc ಾನು ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆೆ ಾನು ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸುƒಾQAೊಂಡು ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆೆ ನನ5 8ಾ9 ಮತು ನನ5 ಅಣC oೊ8ೆಯc ಬಂ&ಾಗ ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯವರು ಎಲcರೂ ೇ ನನ5 ಮತು ನನ5 ಮೆಯವೆ ಅHಾ„ ಶಬ\ಗgಂದ 0ೈದು ಅTೆcೕ ಾರು8ಾ'ೆ ಆದರೂ ಸಹ ಾನು ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯc ನನ5 ಮಗುನ oೊ8ೆ ಉgದುAೊಂದು\ ನನೆ ಸIಾJ ನನ5 ಮಗುೆ ಸIಾJ ಆEಾರ Eಾಗೂ ನನ5 ಖL+ೆ ಹಣ =ೕಡ&ೆ ಇರುವfದಂದ ನನ5 ಆ'ೋಗ/ದc ತುಂ0ಾ ಬದTಾವೆIಾJ ನನೆ ,ಾಶ`Hಾಯು Eೊhೆ<ರುತ&ೆ ಆದ\ಂದ ನನೆ Y ಇಲc&ೆ ನನ5 ತವರು ಮೆೆ Eೋಗ0ೇAಾದ ಪQ{? ಉಂjಾಗುತ&ೆ ನನ5 ಗಂಡ ಅ&ೇ ಸಮಯದc ನಮN ಸಮು&ಾಯದವ'ೇ ಆದ 0ೇ'ೆ ಹುಡುJಯ oೊ8ೆ ಮದುHೆ ಾAೊಳD€ವ ಪ%ಾವೇ Aೇgಬಂ<ದು\ ಅವರನು5 "ಾQ&ಾಗ ಅವರು ನನ5 ಬೆ~ ತುಚHಾJ ಾತಾ =ನ5ಂತಹ ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸ ಇಲcದವಳನು5 ಕuAೊಂಡು ಏನು ಾಡು8ಾ'ೆ ಾನು ಆತ=ೆ EೆಣCನು5 Aೊಡು8ೇHೆ =ೕವf ಏನು 0ೇAಾದರೂ ಾAೊg€ ಎಂದು ನಮೆ 0ೈದು ಕgQರು8ಾ'ೆ ಇೊ5ಂದು 0ಾ ಈ ಷಯAೆM ಬಂದ'ೆ ನನ5 Aೊಂದು …ಡು8ೇೆ ಎಂದು ಮೆಯವರು ಧ†N EಾS ಕgQರು8ಾ'ೆ ನಂತರ ಾವf ಭಯೊಂಡು <ಾಂಕ ೧೩ ಒಂದು 2024 ರಂದು ಅವರ ಮೆೆ EೋJ ‰ಾಶ`ತHಾJ ಇರಲು EೋJ&ಾ\ಗ ನಮN :ೕTೆ ಹTೆc ಾ ಕgQರು8ಾ'ೆ ಇ? ೕLೆ ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ನನೆ ?g<ರುವ ಸಂಬಂYಕ'ೇ ಆದ ಾಮ&ೇವ ಮತು ಅವರ Eೆಂಡ? Aಾ0ಾ9 0ೋರK ರವರ ಮಗಾದ AಾHೇ 0ೋ'ಾK ರವರನು5 ಮದುHೆ ಆJರುವf&ಾJ ಖLತ ಾ? &ೊರSರುತ&ೆ ಅದAೆM ಪŠರಕHಾದ &ಾಖTೆಗಳD ಲxQರುತ&ೆ ನನ5 ಈ Q{?ೆ ನನ5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆಯವ'ಾದ ನನ5 ಗಂಡ &ೇವ'ಾ„ ಅ8ೆ ಜನಾ9 :ೖದ ಮಂಜುಾಥ ಾ<= ಾರ?ೕ ಅವಳ ಗಂಡ ಕೃಷCಪ^ ತಂ&ೆ ಅವರು Aಾರಣ'ಾJದು\ ನನೆ AೊTೆ 0ೆದAೆ EಾS ನನ5ನು5 ಎದುQ ನನ5 ಗಂಡ=ೆ ತಮN ಮಗಳನು5 ಮದುHೆ ಾQರುವ ಹುಡುJ 8ಾ9 Aಾ0ಾ9 ತಮNಾದ ಕೃಷC ಭೂರK ಜನ5 ,ಾಚಂೆ Eಾಗೂ ಅವಳ ಗಂಡ ಮಂಜುಾಥ ಪಂ"ಾಂಗ ಇವರು ಎಲcರೂ ೇ ನನ5 ‹ೕವನವನು5 EಾಳD ಾದು\ ನನ5 ‹ೕವನAೆM ಆƒಾರಲcದಂ8ೆ ಾ ನನ5 ಮತು ನನ5 ಮಗುನ ಈ ಪQ{?ೆ Aಾರಣ'ಾದ :ೕTೆ ನಮೂ<Qರುವ ಎTಾc ವ/Sಗಳ :ೕTೆ Aಾನೂನು ೕ?ಯ ಕ%ಮ ಜರುJಸ0ೇAೆಂದು Aೋರು8ೇೆ." - 12 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 The Police conduct investigation and file a charge sheet. Summary of the charge sheet as obtained in column No.17 reads as follows: "17. AೇQನ ಸಂ•ಪ ಾ'ಾಂಶ ಈ &ೋzಾ'ೋಪಣ ಪuಯ Aಾಲಂ ನಂ. 12ರc ನಮೂ<Qರುವ ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತನು <ಾಂPÀ, 20/05/2021 ರಂದು ಾ•-1ರವರನು5 ಂದೂ ಸಂಪ%&ಾಯದಂ8ೆ ಮದುHೆ ಾ Aೊಂರು8ಾೆ, ಮದುHೆಯ ಸಮಯದc ಎ-1 ಂದ ಎ-5 ರವರ ಒ8ಾಯದಂ8ೆ ಾ•-1 ರವರ ಮೆಯವರು ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತ=ೆ 15 ಾ%ಂ ತೂಕದ Lನ5ದ ಕ? ನ "ೈನು 08 ಾ%ಂ ತೂಕದ ಉಂಗುರ, 8000/-ರೂ 0ೆTೆ ಾNp+ Hಾ‘, ಸೂಟು ಬjೆಗಳನು5 ವರದ•ೆIಾJ =ೕ, ಾ•-1 ರವಗೂ ಸEಾ 100 ಾ%ಂ ತೂಕದ Lಾ ಭರಣಗಳD ಮತು Qೕ'ೆ ಬjೆ ಬ'ೆಗಳನು5 AೊQ, ತಮN ಸ`ಂತ ಊ'ಾದ 0ಾಗಲAೋu ‹Tೆcಯ, ಇಲಕb 8ಾಲೂcಕು, AೋEಾಳ ಾ%ಮದc ಮದುHೆ ಾAೊuರು8ಾ'ೆ. ಮದುHೆIಾದ :ೕTೆ ,ಾ%ರಂಭದc, ಾ•-1 ರವರು ತನ5 ಗಂಡ ಎ-1ೊಂ<ೆ ಆತನ ಅಕM -4 ಮತು ಎ-5 ರವರ Hಾಸದ ಮೆಯc ಸುಾರು 03 ?ಂಗಳD Hಾಸದು\ ಸಂಾರ ಾದು\, ನಂತರ Aಾಾ•,ಾಳ/ ೕ ಾಾ Hಾ/]ಯರುವ ಅವರ ಸ`ಂತ ಮೆIಾದ ನಂ.37, 2ೇಮುಖ/ರೆ, 6ೇAಾ% , ಮದೂ\ರಮN Tೇಔp, ಸುಂಕದಕjೆ, 0ೆಂಗಳ2ರು ನಗರ ಇc ಸಂಾರ ,ಾ%ರಂxQರು8ಾ'ೆ. ಅc, ಸುಾರು ಮೂರು ?ಂಗಳ Aಾಲ ಾತ% "ೆಾ5J ೋ Aೊಂದು\ ಕ%:ೕಣ ಎ-1 ಂದ ಎ-5 ಆ'ೋ]ತರು ಮೆಯc ಸಣCಪfಟ "ಾರಗgೆ ಗTಾjೆ ಾಡಲು ,ಾ%ರಂxQ 2022 ರ ಜನವ ಾEೆ9ಂದ 8ಾವf ಕuರುವ ಮೆಯ ಾಲ ?ೕಸಲು =ನ5 ತವರು ಮೆ9ಂದ 05 ಲR ಹಣವನು5 8ೆೆದುAೊಂಡು 0ಾ ಎಂದು ಒ8ಾ9Q ಾ9ೆ ಬಂದಂ8ೆ Aೆಟು ಕಟ ಶಬ\ಗgಂದ 0ೈದು Aೈಗgಂದ ಹTೆ ಾರು8ಾ'ೆ. ಆಗ ಾ•-1 ರವರ 8ಾ9 ಮತು ಅಣCನವರು ತಮN ಕhೆಯ ಯ 8ೈwಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಇಬ|ಗೂ ಬು<UHಾದ EೇgQದರೂ ಸಹ ಾ•-1 ರವೆ =ೕನು ದದ%ದವಳD ಏನು ಗ? ಇಲcದವಳನು5 ಮದುHೆ ಾAೊಂಡು ಬಂದು ತಪf^ ಾzɪÀÅ ಇನೂ ಉತಮ ಸಂಬಂಧಗಳD ಬರು? ದ\ವf ಅವರನು5 …ಟು =ನ5ನು5 ಮದುHೆ ಾAೊಂಡು ತಮN ಮೆ K¼ÉÎIಾJಲc. JAದು ೕIಾgQರುvÁÛgÉ, ಆ - 13 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 ¸ÀªÀÄAiÀÄzÀ°è ಾ•-1 ರವರು ಗx+yIಾJದು\, ಆAೆಯ ಆ'ೋಗ/ ಸಮೆ/ ಉಂjಾJದು\, ಆAೆಯನು5 ತವರು ೆೆ ಕ'ೆದುAೊಂಡು EೋJ ಸೂಕ LS8ೆ, AೊQದು\, ಆAೆಯು ತವರು ಮೆಯcರುHಾೆ~ EೆಣುC ಮಗು ಜ=Qರುತ&ೆ. ನಂತರ ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತನು ಇದ\SMದ\ಂ8ೆ ’ೕ + Aೊಡುವಂ8ೆ ಒ8ಾ9Qದು\, ಆಗ ಾ•-1 ರವರು ಮಂಗಳ2ನ Aೌಟುಂಬುಕ ಾ/Iಾಲಯದ †ೕ‚ೕಷa ಮೂಲಕ 'ಾ‹ ಾAೊಂದು\ ಅದರಂ8ೆ ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತನು ಾ•-1 ರವರನು5 ಮತು ಆAೆಯ ಮಗುವನು5 ತೊ5ಂ<ೆ ಕ'ೆತಂದು ಾಗ+ ಮƒೆ/ ಮ8ೆ ಜಗಳ ಾ 0ಾ9ೆ ಬಂದಂ8ೆ 0ೈದು 0ೆಂಗಳ2ನ ಯಶವಂತಪfರ 'ೈTೆ` =Tಾ\ಣದc, …ಟು Eೊರಟು EೋJರು8ಾೆ. ನಂತರ ಾ•-1 ರವರ ಮೆಯವರು <ಾಂಕ,11/02/2023 ರಂದು ಆAೆಯನು5 ಮತು ಮಗುವನು5 ಕ'ೆದುAೊಂಡು ಗಂಡೆ ಮೆೆ …ಡಲು EೋJದು\, ಆಗ ಎ-1, ಎ-2. ಎ-3, ಎ-4, ಎ-5, ಎ-9 ಮತು ಎ -10 ರವರುಗಳD ೇAೊಂಡು ಜಗಳ ಾ ಅHಾಚ/ ಶಬ\ಗgಂದ 0ೈದು ಾ•-1 ರವರ :ೕTೆ Aೈಗgಂದ ಹTೆc ಾದು\, ಅಲc&ೆ AೊTೆ 0ೆದAೆ EಾS ಮೆ9ಂದ Eೊರೆ EಾSರು8ಾ'ೆ, ಮ8ೆ ಸಾƒಾನ ಾ ಆAೆಯನು5 ಗಂಡನ ಮೆೆ ೇQದ\ಮN, ಆಗ ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತನು ಾ•-1 ರವರನು5 ]%ೕ? ‰ಾ`ಸ<ಂದ ೋAೊಳ€&ೆ =ಲ+•Q ಮೆ Aೆಲಸದವಳಂ8ೆ ೋAೊಂದು\, ಇದಂ&ಾJ ಾ•.1 ರವರ ಆ'ೋಗ/ದc ತುಂ0ಾ ವ/8ಾ/ಸHಾJ ,ಾಶ`+Hಾಯು Eೊhೆ<ರುತ&ೆ, ಆಗ ಅವಳ ಗಂಡ Eಾಗೂ ಅವರ ಮೆಯವರು ಆAೆೆ LS8ೆ Aೊಸ&ೆ =ಲ+•Qರು8ಾ'ೆ. ಆಗ ಆAೆಯನು5 ಅವಳ 8ಾ9 ಮತು ಅಣCನವರು ಕ'ೆದುAೊಂಡು ಬಂದು ಆAೆೆ ಸೂಕ LS8ೆ AೊQ ಸ`ಲ^ "ೇತQAೊಂಡ :ೕTೆ ಮ8ೆ ಯ ಮುಖಂಡರ ಮುಂ&ೆ ಪಂ"ಾ9w ªÀiÁr¹zÁUÀ ಎ-1, ಎ-2. ಎ-3, ಎ-4, ಎ-5 gÀªÀgÀÄ DPÉAiÀÄ£ÀÄß ªÀÄ£ÉUÉ ¸ÉÃj¹PÉƼÀî®Ä wgÀ¸ÀÌj¹zÀÝjAzÀ ಾ•-1 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¨ÉÃgÉ ಾಗ+ಲc&ೆ ತನ5 ಮಗುೊಂ<ೆ ತವರು ಮೆಯc ಇರು8ಾ'ೆ. ೕJರುವc, 2025 ರ ”ೆಬು%ವ ?ಂಗgನc, ಎ-1 jAzÀ ಎ-10 ಆ'ೋ]ತgÀÄ ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತ¤UÉ Aಾನೂನು§zÀÝ ºÉAqÀwAiÀiÁzÀ ಾ•-1ರವರು ‹ೕವಂತ ಇರುHಾಗ DPÉUÉ ªÀAa¸ÀĪÀ GzÉñÀ¢AzÀ Aಾನೂನು 0ಾರHಾJ Eಾಗೂ ೌಪ/HಾJ ಎ-1 ಆ'ೋ]ತ=ೆ ಎ-7 ಆ'ೋ]ತಳನು5 ಎರಡೆಯ ªÀÄzÀÄªÉ ಾ ಾ•-1 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ DPÉAiÀÄ aPÀÌ ಮಗುೆ •ೕಸ ಾರು8ಾ'ೆ. - 14 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 ಆದ Aಾರಣ ಎTಾc ಆ'ೋ]ತgÀ ರುದU :ೕ®ÌAqÀ PÀ®A ಅನ`ಯ ಈ &ೋzಾ'ೋಪಣ ಸcQದ." If the complaint and summary of the charge sheet are juxtaposed, what would unmistakably emerge is that the offence of bigamy against petitioner No.1 that he has got married to accused No.7 springs on suspicion. 9. Though the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners is strenuously contended that the photographs are available of the marriage in a temple, the photographs nowhere depict any kind of marriage ceremony being held. Therefore, it is drawn on suspicion. Particularly of the offence of bigamy, accused Nos.2 to 10, they are said to be present at the time of marriage and have sprinkled the sacred rice upon accused Nos.1 and 7. This submission or this contention or this complaint cannot be accepted for an offence to become the offence under Section 494 of the IPC, particularly against all the members of the family. Therefore, the offence under Section 494 of the IPC qua accused Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 must stand obliterated. - 15 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 10. Who remains is the alleged second wife/accused No.7. It is the allegation that she has married accused No.1 and the contention rests on suspicion as indicated herein above. The Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Crl.P.No.7517/2017 disposed on 13.03.2024 has held that alleged second wife cannot be dragged into the web of crime qua the offence under Section 494 of the IPC, the Co-ordinate Bench has held as follows: 1. "The respondent filed a private complaint before the JMFC, Chitradurga in P.C.R.No.626/2015 against one P.Rajakumara alleged to be her husband, one H.T.Maala alleged to be second wife, one Ravi a friend of P.Rajakumara and the petitioners herein are the mother, father and the sister of the said P.Rajakumara of H.T.Maala. 2. It is alleged that the complainant is the first wife of P.Rajakumara and during the subsistence of the said marriage, Sri. P.Rajakumara married H.T.Maala and as such, he has committed an offence. Accused Nos.3 to 6 therein have been made parties to the said proceedings on the ground that they have participated in the marriage ceremony of the complainant and accused Nos.1 and 2, knowing fully well of the subsistence marriage between the complainant and respondent No.1. It is challenging the same, the petitioners are before this Court seeking for the aforesaid reliefs. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners, being the father, mother and sister of the alleged second wife, cannot be prosecuted under Section 494 of IPC inasmuch as the prosecution contemplated therein is only as regards the person who has committed the said - 16 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 offence. Merely because the petitioners have participated in the wedding ceremony, they cannot be prosecuted for the offences punishable under Section 494 of IPC. 4. Learned counsel for respondent No.2 would, however, submit that though the offences alleged are under Sections 420 and 494 of IPC, the Trial Court could always take into consideration the evidence which has led, introduce the charge under Section 506 of IPC for abetement and as such, at this stage, this Court ought not to intercede in the matter. His submission is also that the petitioners herein who are accused Nos.4 to 6 therein had knowing fully well of the subsistence of the marriage between the complainant and accused No.1 participated in the said wedding, if they had not participated and felicitated the wedding, the wedding would not have taken place, and thereby the offence under Section 494 of IPC would not have taken place. On this ground, he submits that the above petition is required to be dismissed. 5. Heard Sri. Praveen C., learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri. Jagruth, learned counsel for the respondent and perused papers. 6. Section 494 of IPC reads as under: "Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife.—Whoever, having a husband or wife living, marries in any case in which such marriage is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband or wife, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine." 7. A perusal of Section 494 of IPC would indicate that whoever, having a husband or wife living, marries during the life of such husband or wife shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend for seven years. - 17 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 Though there are certain exceptions which have been provided those exceptions would not be attracted in the present case. 8. What is important for this Court to consider is that in terms of Section 494 of IPC it is only the person who marries during the subsistence and the life time of the earlier spouse and the earlier marriage could be prosecuted and punished for the offences punishable under Section 494 of IPC. 9. The said provision does not even contemplate the person to whom the husband or wife has married to be prosecuted under Section 494 of IPC. Let alone the father, mother and sister who had participated in or attended the wedding. The only allegation made in the complaint at "paragraph 7" is that accused Nos.3 to 6 have knowledge of the marriage of accused Nos.1 and 2 is illegal and despite which they have participated. There is no averment made therein that they were aware of the subsisting marriage between the complainant and accused No.1 or further, there is no allegation made as regards the intention on part of accused Nos.3 to 6 having involved themselves in a offence punishable under Section 494 of IPC or felicitated or abated the said offence. In that view of the matter, I am of the considered opinion that in terms of Section 494 of IPC as is clear from the mere reading of the said provision, it is only the husband and wife who marries for the second time during the subsistence of an earlier marriage and the life time of the earlier spouse who can be prosecuted and not the petitioners herein." In that light, accused No.7, the alleged second wife also cannot be permitted to be tried in the present case. 11. Now the offence that remains is the offence under Section 498A of the IPC. The complaint and summary of the - 18 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 charge sheet are noted herein above, there is no allegation of cruelty meted out by any other member of the family on the demand of dowry, while there are sprinkling allegations against the husband, both for the offence under Sections 494 or 498A of the IPC, as the case would be. Therefore, finding no offence of under Section 498A of the IPC or any other offence that is alleged against petitioners No.2 to 10, the proceedings would stand obliterated against those accused Nos.2 to 10. 12. Now who remains is the husband, the accused No.1. As observed herein above, the accused No.1 does have allegations against him, which would require a matter of trial both for offences under Sections 494 and 498A of the IPC. In the event during the trial, if it is proved by the prosecution that there is indeed a second marriage between petitioner No.1 and accused No.7, it is open to the prosecution or any party to the lis to file an application under Section 319 of the Cr.P.C. to bring back accused No.7 into the web of proceedings. 13. For the aforesaid reasons and with the aforesaid observations, the following: - 19 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:8752 CRL.P No. 8070 of 2025 ORDER (i) The Criminal Petition stands allowed qua accused Nos.2 to 10 for all the offences. (ii) The Criminal Petition stands dismissed qua, accused No.1 only for offences under Sections 498A and 494 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. Ordered accordingly. Sd/- (M.NAGAPRASANNA) JUDGE JY List No.: 1 Sl No.: 25