Sri Ramachandregowda.S.v Vs State of Karnataka — Karnataka HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

Sri Ramachandregowda.S.v Vs State of Karnataka — Karnataka HC (2025) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Proceedings in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023) pending before the Additional Civil Judge and JMFC at Shidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District quashed insofar as the petitioner is concerned; liberty reserved to the respondents to proceed against the remaining accused, with the quashment expressly restricted to the petitioner.

Issue for consideration

Whether the entire proceedings in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023) against the petitioner, for the offence punishable under Section 127(A) of the R.P. Act, are liable to be quashed. +1 more

Court's answer

Continuation of the impugned proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law, warranting interference in the present petition.

Ratio / Principle

Since the petitioner/accused No.2 was not an inmate or passenger traveling in the car containing the incriminating material, he cannot be prosecuted for the offence punishable under Section 127A of the R.P. Act.

Key takeaways

The charge sheet material comprising the statements of witnesses and documents does not reveal that the petitioner is guilty of the alleged offence, especially as he was not an inmate or passenger in the car where the incriminating material was found at the time of seizure.ratio¶73

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Quashing — Section 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (restrictions on printing of election pamphlets/posters) — Criminal Petition (CRL.P No. 6261 of 2024) under Section 482 Cr.P.C. / 528 BNSS by Accused No.2 seeking quashing of entire proceedings in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023), Dibburahalli Police, pending before the Addl. Civil Judge & JMFC at Sidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District — complaint dated 06.04.2023 filed by respondent No.2 (original complainant); charge sheet filed after investigation — shawls and posters seized from a car in connection with the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election — Held: the petitioner was not an inmate or passenger traveling in the car containing the incriminating material, hence cannot be prosecuted under Section 127A R.P. Act; charge sheet material did not reveal his guilt; continuation of proceedings would amount to abuse of process — Petition allowed; impugned proceedings quashed qua petitioner only, with liberty reserved to proceed against the remaining accused. Single-judge order of S.R. Krishna Kumar, J., dated 27-06-2025 (NC: 2025:KHC:22643).

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF JUNE, 2025

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 6261 OF 2024 (482(Cr.PC) / 528(BNSS))

BETWEEN:

SRI RAMACHANDREGOWDA S.V. S/O VENKATASWAMYGOWDA AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS R/AT NO.3, 'CHANDRU NIVASA' 13^TH MAIN, RMV EXTENSION SADASHIVANAGAR BENGALURU-560080.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. R V SHIVANANDA REDDY, ADVOCATE)

AND:

Digitally signed by GEETHA P G 1. STATE OF KARNATAKA Location: HIGH BY DIBBURAHALLI POLICE STATION COURT OF KARNATAKA SHIDDLAGHATTA CHIKKABALLAPURA DISTSRICT REPTD. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR. B R AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALURU-560001.

SMT. KRISHNAVENI @ KRUSHNAVENI AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS

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SENIOR GEOLOGIST MINES AND MINERALS DEPARTMENT CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT REP. BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING DR. B R AMBEDKAR VEEDHI BANGALURU-560001.

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. B.N. JAGADEESH, ADDL. SPP FOR RESPONDENT NO.1)

THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO QUASH ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.454/2023 (CRIME NO.45/2023) DIBBURAHALLI POLICE, FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 127(A) OF RP ACT, PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE ADDITIONAL CIVIL JUDGE & JMFC AT SIDLAGHATTA, CHIKKABALLAPUR DISTRICT ETC.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR

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ORAL ORDER

In this petition, the petitioner has sought for the following reliefs:

"(a) Call for Trial Court records in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023) Dibburahalli police, for the offence punishable under Section 127(A) of RP Act, pending on the file of the Addl. Civil Judge & JMFC at Sidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District;

(b) Quash entire proceedings against Petitioner in C.C.No.454/2023 (Crime No.45/2023) Dibburahalli police, for the offence punishable under Section 127(A) of RP Act, pending on the file of the Addl.Civil Judge & JMFC at Sidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District.

(c) Pass any such order/s as deems fit by this Hon'ble Court in the facts and circumstances of the case, to meet the ends of justice."

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Additional SPP for respondent No.1 and perused the material on record.

A perusal of the material on record will indicate that respondent

No.2/original complainant filed the instant complaint dated 06.04.2023 against the petitioner/accused No.2 and another for the

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alleged offences punishable under Section 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951.

In pursuance of the same, respondent No.1 conducted investigation and filed a charge sheet which is presently pending in C.C.No.454/2023 before the trial court in which the petitioner is arraigned as accused No.2. In this context, the impugned complaint reads as under:

" �ಷಯ :- ಮುಂ�ನ ��ಾನಸ�ೆ ಚು�ಾವ�ೆ ಸಂಬಂದ ಪ��ಾರ �ಾಡುವ ಸಲು�ಾ� ��ೆ� ಪ ದ ಧ"ಜಗಳ& , 'ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು )+ಪತ�ಗಳನು.ಾ/ಾ01ೆ �ಾಡು+ದ2 1ೆಎ -04- ಎಂ4 -3069 ಇ�ೊ-ೕ�ಾ �ಾಹನ , �ಾಹನದ �ಾಲಕ ಮತು+ ಧ"ಜ , 'ಾಲು (ಾಗು )*+ಪತ� �ಾ:ೕಕರ ;ೕ<ೆ 1ಾನೂನು ಕ�ಮ ಜರು�ಸುವಬ/ೆ=.

;ೕಲAಂಡ �ಷಯ1ೆA ಸಂಬಂ�BದಂCೆ DಕAಬEಾFಪGರ H<ೆI ಗ0 ಮತು+ ಭೂ �Kಾನ ಇ<ಾLೆಯ:I 1ೆಲಸ MವNOಸು*+ರುವ ಕೃಷQ�ೇ0 ಆದ ನನ/ೆ 2023 ರ ಕ�ಾNಟಕ TಾಜU ��ಾನಸ�ಾ .ಾವN*�ಕ ಚು�ಾವ�ೆಯ VಡIಘಟX ��ಾನ ಸ�ಾ Yೇತ� -142 ದ ಎಂ . B . B / ¥ÉèöÊZಂ[ .ಾA] -2 ತಂಡದ ಮುಖUಸ_Tಾ� �ೇ`Bದು2 , ಈ �ನ ��ಾಂಕ :06/04/2023 ರಂದು �ಾನು , b:ೕc Bಬdಂ�eಾದ VಡIಘಟX ನಗರb:ೕc fಾ�ೆಯ ಪ��ೕg ಕು�ಾh , B , � . B -554, �ijೕ /ಾ�ಫh eಾBೕl ರವರು Hೕm ನಂಬh 1ೆಎ -04 H -1488 ರ:I ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ VಡIಘಟX ��ಾನಸ�ಾ �ಾU�+ಯ:I ಗಸು+ �ಾi1ೊಂಡು nೆo/ೆ= 11.40 ಗಂpೆಯ ಸಮಯದ:I VಡIಘಟX - �§ÆâರಹoF, ಮುಖU ರ.ೆ+ಯ ಅಜsಕ�TೇನಹoF /ೇt /ೆ ಬಂuಾಗ �§ÆâರಹoF ಕvೆZಂದ

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ನಂ . 1ೆಎ -04- ಎಂ4 -3069 �ೊಂದ0 ಸಂLೆUಯ �o ಬಣQದ ಇ£ÉÆßÃ�ಾ �ಾಹನ ಬಂ�ದು2 , �ಾವG ಸದx �ಾಹನವನು- M:IB �ೆy �ಾಡ<ಾ� �ಾಹನದ Oಂ�ಾಗದ izAಯ:I ��ೆ� ಪ ದಧ"ಜಗಳ& , 'ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು ಮುಖಪGಟದ:I Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ�ೕ/ೌಡ ಎಂತ (ೆಸxರುವ )+ ಪತ�ಗಳ& ಇದು2 �ಾಲಕನನುಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ�ಸಲು ಅನುಮಯ ಬ/ೆ= 1ೇಳ<ಾ� ಸದx 1ಾxನ �ಾಲಕ ನಮ} ಬo eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ* ಇರುವG�ಲI�ೆಂದು ಇವGಗಳನು- ಮುಂ�ನ ��ಾನಸ�ೆ ಚು�ಾವ�ೆಯ:I VಡIಘಟX Yೇತ�ದ:I ��ೆ� ಪ ದ ವZಂದ ಸ~�ೆN �ಾಡ:ರುವ Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ�ೕ/ೌಡರವರು ಮುಂಬರುವ ��ಾನಸ�ಾ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮತuಾರx/ೆ ಪ��ಾರ �ಾಡುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ�ಂದ Cೆ/ೆದು1ೊಂಡು (ೋಗಲು (ೇoೕರುCಾ+Tೆಂತ oBರುCಾ+Tೆ . ಸದx 1ಾxನ �ಾಲಕನ (ೆಸರು (ಾಗೂ �Eಾಸ 1ೇಳ<ಾ� ರಘ• . � �l Dನ-�ೆಂಕಟTಾಯಪ~ , 34 ವಷN , ವಕA:ಗರು , 1ಾxನ �ಾಲಕ , �ೆಂಕpೇಶಪ°è /ಾ�ಮ , �ೇಳ‚ರು CಾಲೂIಕು , DಕAಬEಾFಪGರ H<ೆI ಎಂದು oBದು2 1ಾxನ izAಯ:Iದ2ವGಗಳನು- ಪxVೕ:ಸ<ಾ� ��ೆ� ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು , PÀªÀÄ®zÀ D£É í EgÀÄªÀ 42 ಧ"ಜ ( nಾವGಟ ) ಗಳ& , ��ೆ� ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು , ಕಮಲದ D£É íಇರುವ 205 'ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು ªÀÄÄR¥ÀÄlzÀ°è ²qÀèWÀlÖzÀ Biಲ �ಾಯಕ ಭರವ.ೆjಂದು nೆEೆದು ಬಂದ uಾx Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ�ೕ/ೌಡ ಎಂತ ಇರುವ 140 ಭ+ ಪತ�ಗಳ& ಇರುvÉÛ 1ಾxನ �ಾಲಕ ರಘ•. � �l Dನ-�ೆಂಕಟTಾಯಪ~ (ಾಗು Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ�ೕ/ೌಡ ರವರು ಮುಂಬರುವ ��ಾನಸ�ಾ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮತuಾರx/ೆ ��ೆ� ಪ 1ೆA ಮತ ಚ<ಾZಸಲು ಪ��ಾರ �ಾಡುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ�ಂದ )+ಪತ�ಗಳ ;ೕ<ೆ ಪ�1ಾಶಕರ (ೆಸರನು- ಮTೆ�ಾD (ಾಗೂ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ �ೆಚƒವನು- ಮTೆ�ಾಚುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ�ಂದ eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ ಪvೆಯuೇ ಧ"ಜ (ಾಗು 'ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು )+ಪತ�ಗಳನು- (ಾಗು ಇವGಗಳನು.ಾ�ಸು+ದ2 �ಾಹನವನು- ಪಂಚರ ಸಮ ಮ ಅ�ಾನತು+ ಪiB1ೊಂಡು ಮುಂ�ನ ಕ�ಮದ ಸಲು�ಾ� fಾ�ೆ/ೆ ಬಂದು ದೂರು Mೕಡು*+ದು2 1ೆಎ -04- ಎಂ4 - 3069 ರ �ಾಹನದ �ಾಲಕ ರಘ•. � �l Dನ-�ೆಂಕಟTಾಯಪ~ (ಾಗು Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ�ೕ/ೌಡ ರವರ �ರುದ„ ಮುಂ�ನ 1ಾನೂನು ಕ�ಮ 1ೈ/ೊಳFಲು 1ೋರುCೆ+ೕ�ೆ ."

ಆದ2xಂದFuೋ†ಾTೋಪ�ಾಪnÖ "

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The summary of the charge sheet reads as under:

" ಕಲಂ 127 ಎಆh . �ಆyX xೕCಾU uೋ†ಾTೋಪ�ಾಪ4X .

��ಾಂಕ :06/04/2023 ರಂದು ಮುಂಬರುವ 2023 ರ:I ನvೆಯುವ ��ಾನಸ�ಾ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ²qÀèWÀlÖ ��ಾನಸ�ಾ Yೇತ� -142 / ¥ÉèöÊZಂ[ .ಾA] ತಂಡ -2 ಮುಖU¸ÀÜTಾದ.ಾ‡ -01 ರವರು.ಾ‡ -02,03,04 ರವರು 1ೆಎ -04 H -1488 Hೕm �ಾಹನದ°è VಡIಘಟX - �§ÆâರಹoF, ಮುಖU ರ.ೆ+ಯಅಜsಕ�TೇನಹoF /ೇt /ೆ ಬಂuಾಗ�§ÆâರಹoF ಕvೆZಂದನಂ . 1ೆಎ - 04- ಎಂ4 -3069 �ೊಂದ0 ಸಂLೆUಯ �o ಬಣQದ ಇ£ÉÆßÃ�ಾ �ಾಹನ ಬಂ�ದು2 ಸದx �ಾಹನವನು- M:IB �ೆy �ಾಡ<ಾ� �ಾಹನದ Oಂ�ಾಗದ izAಯ:I 1ಾxನizAಯ:Iದ2ವGಗಳನು- ಪxVೕ:ಸ<ಾ��ೆ�ಎಂತ(ೆಸರು , PÀªÀÄ®zÀ D£É í EgÀÄªÀ 42 ಧ"ಜ ( nಾವGಟ ) ಗಳ& , ��ೆ� ಎಂತ (ೆಸರು , ಕಮಲದ D£É íಇರುವ 205 'ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು ªÀÄÄR¥ÀÄlzÀ°è ²qÀèWÀlÖzÀ Biಲ �ಾಯಕ ಭರವ.ೆjಂದು nೆEೆದು ಬಂದ uಾx Bೕಕ{ Tಾಮಚಂuೆ�ೕ/ೌಡ ಎಂತ ಇರುವ 140 ಭ*+ ಪತ�ಗಳ& ಇದು2 uೋ†ಾTೋಪಣ ಪತ�ದ ಅಂಕಣ -12 ಕಂಡ ಆTೋ� -01 ರವರನು- ಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ�ಸಲು ಅನುಮಯ ಬ/ೆ= , 1ೇಳ<ಾ� ಆTೋ� -01 ರವರು ನಮ} ಬo eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮ ಇರುವG�ಲI�ೆಂದು ಇವGಗಳನುಮುಂ�ನ ��ಾನಸ�ೆ ಚು�ಾವ�ೆಯ°è VqÀèಘಟX Yೇತ�ದ:I ��ೆ� ಪ ದ ವZಂದ ಸ~�ೆN �ಾಡ:ರುವ ಆTೋ� -02 ಪರ�ಾ� ರವರು ಮುಂಬರುವ ��ಾನಸ�ಾ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮತuಾರx/ೆ ಪ��ಾರ �ಾಡುವ ಉuೆ2ೕಶ�ಂದ )+ಪತ�ಗಳ ;ೕ<ೆ ಪ�1ಾಶಕರ (ೆಸರನು- ಮTೆ�ಾD (ಾಗೂ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ �ೆಚƒವನು- ಮTೆ�ಾಚುವಉuೆ2ೕಶ�ಂದeಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮಪvೆಯuೇಧ"ಜ (ಾಗು 'ಾಲುಗಳ& (ಾಗು )+ಪತ�ಗಳನು- (ಾಗು ಇವGಗಳನು- .ಾ�ಸು*+ದ2 �ಾಹನ ವನು- ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ Mೕ* ಸಂOCೆ ಉಲIಂಘ�ೆ �ಾiರುವ 1ಾರಣ .ಾ‡ -1 ರವರು .ಾ‡ -5 & 6 ರವರನು- ಪಂಚTಾ� ಬರ�ಾi1ೊಂಡು uಾo �ಾiuಾಗ ಅಂಕಣ -12 ರ:I ಕಂಡ 01 & 02 ಆTೋ�ಗಳ&

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ಚು�ಾವ�ಾˆ1ಾxಗoಂದ eಾವGuೇ ಅನುಮZಲIuೇ ಚು�ಾವ�ಾ Mೕ ಸಂOCೆಯನು- ಉ®èAಘ�ೆ �ಾiರುವGuಾ� ತMLೆZಂದ ದೃಢಪ4XರುCೆ+ . ಆದ2xಂದಈuೋ†ಾTೋಪ�ಾಪ4X ."

A perusal of the complaint, FIR and the charge sheet will indicate that shawls and posters were seized from the vehicle mentioned therein in which the petitioner was not traveling when the same was seized in violation of the offence punishable under Section 127A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (for short 'the R.P.Act'), which reads as under:

" 127A. Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters, etc ,--(1) No person shall print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any election pamphlet or poster which does not bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher thereof.

(2) No person shall print or cause to be printed any election pamphlet or poster--

(a) unless a declaration as to the identity of the publisher thereof, signed by him and attested by two persons to whom he is personally known, is delivered by him to the printer in duplicate; and

(b) unless, within a reasonable time after the printing of the document, one copy of the declaration is sent by the printer, together with one copy of the document,--

(i) where it is printed in the capital of the State, to the Chief Electoral Officer; and

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(ii) in any other case, to the district magistrate of the district in which it is printed.

(3) For the purposes of this section,--

(a) any process for multiplying copies of a document, other than copying it by hand, shall be deemed to be printing and the expression "printer" shall be construed accordingly; and

(b) "election pamphlet or poster" means any printed pamphlet, hand-bill or other document distributed for the purpose of promoting or prejudicing the election of a candidate or group of candidates or any placard or poster having reference to an election, but does not include any handbill, placard or poster merely announcing the date, time, place and other particulars of an election meeting or routine instructions to election agents or workers.

(4) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both."

A perusal of the material on record will also indicate that so long as the petitioner/accused No.2 was not an inmate or passenger traveling in the Car containing the incriminating material, the petitioner cannot be prosecuted for the offence punishable under Section 127A of the R.P. Act.

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It is also relevant to state that a perusal of the charge sheet material comprising of the statement of witnesses and the documents etc., do not reveal that the petitioner is guilty of the alleged offence especially when he was not an inmate or passenger traveling in the Car where the incriminating material was found at the time of seizure. Under the facts and circumstances of the case, I am of the considered opinion that continuation of the impugned proceedings would amount to abuse of process of law warranting interference in the present petition.

In the result, I pass the following:

ORDER

(i) The petition is hereby allowed;

(ii) The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.454/2023 arising out of Crime No.45/2023, which is pending on the file of the Additional Civil Judge and JMFC at Shidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur District, insofar as the petitioner is concerned, is hereby quashed;

(iii) Liberty is reserved in favour of the respondents to proceed against the remaining accused;

(iv) It is made clear that quashment of the impugned proceedings is restricted only in favour of the petitioner

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and not against the remaining accused and the trial court shall proceed further in the matter.

Sd/(S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR) JUDGE

Hkh/Srl. List No.: 1 Sl No.: 14