Sri. Maruti S/O Pundalik Shegehalli Vs the State of Karnataka

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:1036 CRL.P No. 103624 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 103625 of 2024 CRL.P No. 103626 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 103624 OF 2024

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(482(CR.PC)/528(BNSS))

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C/W

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CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 103625 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 103626 OF 2024

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IN CRL.P NO. 103624/2024 BETWEEN:

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SRI. MARUTI S/O PUNDALIK SHEGEHALLI AGE 63, OCC BUSINESS R/O. 247, SIDDESWAR NAGAR, KANABARAGI TQ BELAGAVI DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI. SHIVARAJ P. MUDHOL, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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Digitally signed by CHANDRASHEKAR LAXMAN KATTIMANI Location: High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench.

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THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH KHADE BAZAR POLICE STATION BELAGAVI. REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING, DHARWAD PIN 580007.

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RAVI S/O ARJUN DODDANNAVAR AGE 55 YEARS, OCC BUSINESS R/O. H.NO.157/22, CCB-91, BANDUR GALLI, BELAGAVI

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TALUK AND DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SRI. KIRTILATA R. PATIL, HCGP FOR R1; SRI. SHEKHARGOUDA M. NAGANURI, ADVOCATE FOR R2)

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:1036 CRL.P No. 103624 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 103625 of 2024 CRL.P No. 103626 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.P.C. (528 OF BNSS), PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED REGISTRATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN KHADEBAZAR POLICE STATION BELAGAVI CRIME NO. 0077/2024 FOR AN OFFENCE P/U/SEC. 420, 465, 468, 471 OF IPC IN COMPLAINT DATED 08.11.2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF JMFC-III COURT BELAGAVI CITY SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE PETITIONERS /ACCUSED NO.10 IS CONCERNED BY ALLOWING THIS CRIMINAL PETITION, IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

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IN CRL.P NO. 103625/2024 BETWEEN:

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SMT. ANITA W/O SHANKAR MOOLYA AGE 40 YEARS, OCC. CEO OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD, MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI, R/O. PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD., MATH GALLI BELAGAVI, TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST. BELAGAVI 590001 TQ. BELAGAVI DIST. BELAGAVI 590001.

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PRADEEP S/O MARUTI ASTHEKAR AGE 68 YEARS, OCC. CHAIRMAN OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD, MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI R/O. PLOT NO 7, NCC GROUND, OPP JADHAV NAGAR BELAGAVI, TALUK BELAGAVI DIST BELAGAVI-590001.

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RANJEET S/O BAPUSAHEB CHAVAN PATIL AGE 67 YEARS, OCC. VICE CHAIRMAN OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD, MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI R/O. 404/5, AAI SAHEB BUILDING, PATIL GALLI, BELAGAVI, TALUK BELAGAVI DIST. BELAGAVI 590001.

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HC-KAR

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…PETITIONERS

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(BY SRI. SHIVARAJ P. MUDHOL, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH KHADEBAZAR POLICE STATION BELAGAVI REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, DHARWAD PIN 580007.

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RAVI S/O ARJUN DODDANNAVAR AGE 55 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS R/O. H.NO.157/22, CCB-91, BANDUR GALLI, BELAGAVI, TALUK AND DIST. BELAGAVI 590001.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SMT. KIRTILATA R. PATIL, HCGP FOR R1; SRI. SHEKHARAGOUDAR M. NAGANURI, ADVOCATE FOR 2)

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THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.P.C. (528 OF BNSS), PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED REGISTRATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN KHADEBAZAR POLICE STATION BELAGAVI CRIME NO.0077/2024 FOR AN OFFENCE P/U/SEC. 420, 465, 468, 471 OF IPC IN COMPLAINT DATED 08.11.2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF JMFC-III COURT BELAGAVI CITY SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE PETITIONERS1 TO 3 /ACCUSED NO. 1 TO 3 ARE CONCERNED BY ALLOWING THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

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IN CRL.P NO. 103626/2024 BETWEEN:

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ANANT S/O CHANGAPPA LAD AGE 65 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:1036 CRL.P No. 103624 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 103625 of 2024 CRL.P No. 103626 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI R/O. 4TH CROSS, ADARSH NAGAR VADAGOAN, BELAGAVI TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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SHIVARAJ S/O NARAYAN PATIL AGE 55 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD., MATH GALLI BELAGAVI R/O. PLOT NO 103/D, GADEMARG SAMBHAJI NAGAR, VADAGOAN, BELAGAVI TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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GAJANAN S/O MALLAPPA PATIL AGE 58 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD, MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI R/O. DWARAKA NIVAS, 5TH CROSS, CTS NO 4722, GOODSHE, BELAGAVI, TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST. BELAGAVI 590001.

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SMT. SUVARNA W/O RAJARAM SHAHAPURKAR AGE 50 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD., MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI R/O. H.NO.2052, BHATAKHANDE GALLI, BELAGAVI TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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SUHAS S/O ARJUN TARAL AGE 58 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER, URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD., MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI, R/O. 52/1, 1ST CROSS SUBHAS GALLI, GANDHI NAGAR, BELAGAVI TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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VIDYADHAR S/O YOGA KURANI AGE 58 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER URBAN CO-OP BANK LTD., MATH GALLI BELAGAVI, R/O. H.NO.1757, RAMATIRTH NAGAR, KANABARGI BELAGAVI, TALUK BELAGAVI DIST BELAGAVI 590001.

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:1036 CRL.P No. 103624 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 103625 of 2024 CRL.P No. 103626 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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GAJANAN S/O AMRUT TOKANEKAR AGE 58 YEARS, OCC. DIRECTOR OF PIONEER URBAN OF CO-OP BANK LTD., MATH GALLI, BELAGAVI, R/O. 2449/1, KAMT GALLI BELAGAVI, TALUK BELAGAVI, DIST. BELAGAVI.

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…PETITIONERS

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(BY SRI. SHIVARAJ P. MUDHOL, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH KHADEBAZAR POLICE STATIO, BELAGAVI REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, DHARWAD, PIN 580007.

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RAVI S/O ARJUN DODDANNAVAR AGE 55 YEARS, OCC. BUSINESS, R/O. H.NO. 157/22, CCB-91 BANDUR GALLI, BELAGAVI, TALUK AND DIST. BELAGAVI 590001.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SMT. KIRTILATA R. PATIL, HCGP FOR R1; SRI. SHEKARGOUDA M. NAGANURI, ADVOCATE FOR R2)

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THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED U/S 482 OF CR.P.C. (528 OF BNSS), PRAYING TO QUASH THE QUASH THE IMPUGNED REGISTRATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN KHADEBAZAR POLICE STATION BELAGAVI CRIME NO. 0077/2024 FOR AN OFFENCE P/U/SEC. 420, 465, 468, 471 OF IPC IN COMPLAINT DATED 08.11.2024 PENDING ON THE FILE OF JMFC-III COURT BELAGAVI CITY SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE PETITIONERS/ACCUSED NO. 4 TO 9 AND 11 ARE CONCERNED BY ALLOWING THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

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HC-KAR

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THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR FINAL HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

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ORAL ORDER

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(PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V.SRISHANANDA)

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Heard Sri.Shivaraj P. Mudhol, appearing for petitioners, learned High Court Government Pleader-Smt.Kirtilata R. Patil, appearing for respondent No.1 and Sri.Shekhargouda M. Naganuri, appearing for respondent No.2.

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In these three petitions, accused No.10 in Crl.P.103624/2024, accused Nos.1 to 3 in Criminal Petition No.103625/2024 and accused Nos.4 to 9 and 11 are the petitioners respectively.

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All the petitioners have sought the following common relief in these petitions:

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In Criminal Petition No.103624/2024

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“WHEREFORE, for the reasons stated above,

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it is most A humbly prayed that, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to quash the impugned registration of criminal proceedings in Belagart Khadebazar Police station Belagavi crime No.0077/2024 for an offence punishable under section 420, 465, 468, 471, IPC in complaint dated 08/11/2024 pending on the file of JMFC-III

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NC: 2026:KHC-D:1036 CRL.P No. 103624 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 103625 of 2024 CRL.P No. 103626 of 2024

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HC-KAR

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Court at Belagavi city so far as it relates to the petitioner / Accused No. 10 is concerned by allowing this Criminal Petition, in the interest of justice and equity.”

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In Criminal Petition No.103625/2024

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“WHEREFORE, for the reasons stated above, it is most humbly prayed that, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to quash the impugned registration of criminal proceedings in Belayar Khadebazar Police station Belagavi crime No.0077/2024 for an offence punishable under section 420, 465, 468, 471, IPC in complaint dated 08/11/2024 pending on the file of JMFC-III Court at Belagavi city so far as it relates to the petitioner No.1 to 3 / Accused No. 1 to 3 are concerned by allowing this Criminal Petition, in the interest of justice and equity.”

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In Criminal Petition No.103626/2024

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“WHEREFORE, for the reasons stated above, it is most humbly prayed that, this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to quash the impugned registration of criminal proceedings in Belajava Khadebazar Police station Belagavi crime No.0077/2024 for an offence punishable under section 420, 465, 468, 471, IPC in complaint dated 08/11/2024 pending on the file of JMFC-III

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HC-KAR

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Court at Belagavi city so far as it relates to the petitioners / Accused No. 4 to 9 and 11 are concerned by allowing this Criminal Petition, in the Interest of justice and equity.”

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Facts in the nutshell which are utmost necessary for disposal of the present petitions are as under:

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A complaint came to be lodged by the respondent No.2, Ravi Arjun Doddannavar, before the Kadebazar Police Station, Belagavi City, on 08.11.2024, which came to be registered in Crime No.77 of 2024 for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 465, 468 and 471 of the IPC.

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Gist of the complaint averments would reveal that the second respondent has been made to resign based on the basis of a forged signature and he has been removed from the Directorship of Pioneer Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Math Galli, Belgavi.

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The Police after registering the case are investigating the matter.

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The grounds which are sought to be canvassed before this Court is that the petitioners are innocent and they have not forged any signature of the respondent No.2.

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HC-KAR

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It is also contended that on account of the misdeeds committed by respondent No.2, the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies has taken note of such misdeeds committed by the respondent No.2 and disqualified him and thereafter he has been removed from the Directorship.

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Such a contention of the petitioner cannot be the good ground to conduct a mini-trial before this Court that too while exercising jurisdiction under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure in accepting prayer of the petitioner.

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Therefore, it is a matter of investigation which has to be thoroughly investigated by the Investigating Officer, taking note of the explanations to be offered by the petitioners before the Investigating Officer.

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If the Investigating Officer thereafter finds that the present petitioners are prima facie guilty of the offences alleged against them and files a charge sheet, the petitioners may challenge the charge sheet in accordance with law.

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