Sri Munendra v. State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
NC: 2026:KHC:10533; CRL.P No. 16959 of 2025; High Court of Karnataka, S Vishwajith Shetty J., decided 19-02-2026. Quashing of POCSO/child-marriage case (Spl.SC 99/2022, FTSC-I Chikkaballapura; FIR 55/2022, All Women PS Chikkaballapur; ss.363, 343, 376(2)(n) IPC, s.9 PCMA 2006, s.6 POCSO Act 2012) on amicable settlement: accused-victim marriage 11.05.2022, male child born 28.03.2024, victim attained majority. s.482 Cr.P.C. inherent power vis-a-vis s.320 non-compoundable offences; relied on Gian Singh (2012) 10 SCC 303, Parbatbhai Aahir (2017) 9 SCC 641, Ramgopal (SC), Mohammad Waseem Ahamad AIR OnLine 2022 KAR 314 (followed), Aarush Jain (Kar HC). Petition allowed; proceedings quashed; petitioner released from custody.
What did the court decide?
Criminal petition allowed; entire proceedings in Spl.SC No.99/2022 (arising out of Crime No.55/2022) quashed; jail authorities directed to forthwith release the petitioner.