- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19755 WP No. 7831 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 9TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 7831 OF 2026 (GM-POLICE) BETWEEN: SRI. MANJUNATH, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, S/O LATE KRISHNAPPA, R/AT NO.21, NEAR PATEL PUBLIC SCHOOL, KARIYAMMANA AGRAHARA, BELLANDURU POST, BENGALURU - 560 037. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VENKATACHALAPATHI M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, BENGALURU CITY, BENGALURU - 560 001. 2. THE ASST. COMMISSIONER, BENGALURU CITY, BENGALURU - 560 300. 3. THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, MARATHAHALLI POLICE STATION, BENGALURU - 560 037. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI.VIKAS ROJIPURA, AGA) Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19755 WP No. 7831 of 2026 THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO CLOSE THE ROWDY SHEET OPENED AGANIST THE PETITIONER IN THE YEAR 2009 VIDE ANNX-A, STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The petitioner in the captioned petition is highly aggrieved by the rowdy sheet opened against the petitioner in 2009. 2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned AGA. Perused the records. 3. The records placed before this Court indicate that a rowdy sheet came to be opened against the petitioner at the instance of respondent No.4–Police Station in the year 2009, purportedly on the basis of certain criminal allegations. It is the specific case of the petitioner that the very foundation for opening of the said rowdy sheet was the pendency of criminal - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19755 WP No. 7831 of 2026 proceedings, which have since been fully concluded. The petitioner asserts that he has been acquitted of all the charges in the said proceedings and, therefore, the substratum for continuation of the rowdy sheet no longer survives. 4. The petitioner would further contend that the continued retention of his name in the register of rowdies is wholly arbitrary, illegal and contrary to the law laid down by this Court in B.S. Prakash v. State of Karnataka and Others in W.P.No.4504/2021 and connected matters. Placing reliance on the guidelines issued therein, particularly Clause (4), it is contended that the jurisdictional police are under an obligation to undertake a periodic and suo motu review of the rowdy register, even in the absence of any representation by the concerned individual. It is thus urged that the inaction on the part of the respondents in not reviewing the petitioner’s case, despite acquittal and absence of any pending criminal proceedings, amounts to a clear violation of the binding directions issued by this Court. 5. Having regard to the aforesaid submissions and on perusal of the material on record, this Court is of the - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19755 WP No. 7831 of 2026 considered view that if, as contended by the petitioner, no criminal cases are presently pending against him and he stands acquitted in all earlier proceedings, the continuation of his name in the rowdy register cannot be sustained without an independent and objective review by the competent authority. The law laid down by this Court mandates such a review to ensure that the extraordinary measure of maintaining a rowdy sheet is not continued mechanically or indefinitely, without justification. 6. In that view of the matter, this Court is satisfied that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case for issuance of appropriate directions. Consequently, respondent Nos.2 and 3 are obligated to undertake a fresh review and re-examination of the petitioner’s case, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by this Court, and determine as to whether the petitioner’s name requires to be retained in the rowdy sheeter’s register. 7. In the above circumstances, this Court proceeds to pass the following: - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19755 WP No. 7831 of 2026 ORDER (i) A writ in the nature of mandamus is issued directing respondent Nos.2 and 3 to conduct a periodic review of the petitioner’s case in terms of the guidelines laid down by this Court in W.P.No.4504/2021 and connected matters; (ii) While undertaking such review, the respondents shall specifically take into consideration the factum of acquittal of the petitioner in the criminal cases and the absence of any pending proceedings, if so established; (iii) The respondents shall pass a reasoned and speaking order as to whether the petitioner’s name is to be retained or deleted from the rowdy sheeter’s register; (iv) The aforesaid exercise shall be completed within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order; - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19755 WP No. 7831 of 2026 (v) It is made clear that till such consideration is undertaken, no coercive or stigmatic action shall be continued against the petitioner solely on the basis of the existing rowdy sheet, unless there are fresh and independent grounds in accordance with law. Ordered accordingly. Sd/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE HDK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 5