Dismissed

Sri Ravichandra Genathikatte v. State of Karnataka

Karnataka HC16 Sept 2026CRL.P/7375/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The petitioner sought quashing of FIR Crime No. 218/2026 alleging offences under BNS 2023 and the Juvenile Justice Act 1986, contending he was unconnected to the Mutt mentioned in the complaint and not the person shown beating children in a video. The State argued the complaint alleged children staying in a Mutt were beaten by an unknown person, requiring investigation. The High Court dismissed the petition, stating dismissal should not be considered as expressing anything against the petitioner.

What the court decided

AI extract

Sri Ravichandra Genathikatte Vs State of… — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Karnataka HC (2026)

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:50569 CRL.P No. 7375 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010346832026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

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DATED THIS THE 16^TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 7375 OF 2026

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BETWEEN:

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SRI RAVICHANDRA GENATHIKATTE, S/O B. CHIDANANDAPPA, AGED ABOUT 37 YEARS, RESIDING AT BHUJANGA NAGARA VILLAGE, SANDUR TALUK, BELLARY DISTRICT- 583119.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI M S NAGARAJA, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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STATE OF KARNATAKA, BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE, BHARAMASAGARA POLICE STATION, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT- 577519, REPT BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BUILDING, BENGALURU- 560 001.

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SRI. H.N. MANJUNATHA, S/O NAGARAJ, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, WORKING AS DISTRICT CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER, DISTRICT CHILD PROTECTION UNIT, DEPARTMENT OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, CHITRADURGA DISTRICT- 577501.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SRI M V ANOOP KUMAR, ADDL. SPP)

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THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482(FILED U/S.528 BNSS) CR.P.C BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE PETITIONER PRAYING THAT THIS HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO QUASH

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Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:50569 CRL.P No. 7375 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010346832026

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THE FIR REGISTERED BY THE IsT RESPONDENT POLICE IN CRIME NO.218/2026 FOR THE ALLEGED OFFENCE P/US/ 115(2),117(2),131,351(2) OF BNS 2023 AND SEC.75 OF JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT 1986 PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE II ADDL CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC CHITRADURGA.

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

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE

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ORAL ORDER

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Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the

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learned High Court Government Pleader for the first respondent-State.

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This petition is filed to quash the proceedings in Crime No.218/2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 117(2), 131 and 351(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986. The matter is pending before JMFC, Chitradurga.

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Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that, petitioner is unconcerned with the Mutt which is referred in the complaint.

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Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:50569 CRL.P No. 7375 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010346832026

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Learned counsel for the petitioner further submitted that, the person who is allegedly beating the children in the alleged video is not by the petitioner.

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It is the further submission that, there is a remote reference to the petitioner's name in the complaint. Thus, learned counsel would contend that the registration of the complaint and an FIR is wholly untenable.

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Learned Additional SPP would submit that in the complaint it is alleged that there is a videograph wherein the children are allegedly beaten by an unknown person and those children are allegedly staying in a Mutt and the matter requires investigation.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that, petitioner has already co-operated with the Investigating Agency and has furnished all the information which the petitioner has in his possession. The appropriate report has to be filed after investigation based on the materials available.

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8. The petition is dismissed.

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Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE

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HC-KAR

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NC: 2026:KHC:50569 CRL.P No. 7375 of 2026

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CNR: KAHC010346832026

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Merely because the petition is dismissed, it should

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not be considered as having expressed anything against the

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petitioner.

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Digitally Signed by ANANT RAMNATH HEGDE

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(ANANT RAMANATH HEGDE) JUDGE

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CHS List No.: 2 Sl No.: 22

Sri Ravichandra Genathikatte v. State of Karnataka

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

Sri Ravichandra Genathikatte v. State of Karnataka

Case brief

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