Dismissed¶33

Somanatha Kotian v. Sri Shankara Valpady

Karnataka HC25 Jun 2026CRL.P/8320/2019

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

CRL.P No. 8320 of 2019, Somanatha Kotian v. Shankara Valpady and State of Karnataka; quashing of FIR Crime No.278/2016 Moodabidri Police Station under S.482 CrPC; offences under S.3(1)(10)(ii) SC/ST (POA) Act 1989 and Ss.354, 392, 323 IPC; Special Case No.13/2020; acquittal judgment dated 12.01.2023 by II Additional District and Sessions (Special) Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru; petition dismissed as infructuous; Justice Ravi V Hosmani; decided 25.06.2026; High Court of Karnataka.

What did the court decide?

Since proceedings in Crime No.278/2016 had, during pendency of the petition, ended in a judgment of acquittal on 12.01.2023, the quashing petition had become infructuous; the memo with copy of the acquittal judgment was taken on record and the petition was dismissed. ¶33

Somanatha Kotian Vs Sri Shankara Valpady — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

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NC: 2026:KHC:31860 CRL.P No. 8320 of 2019

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HC-KAR

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

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DATED THIS THE 25^TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026

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BEFORE

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI V HOSMANI

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CRIMINAL PETITION NO.8320 OF 2019

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BETWEEN:

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SOMANATHA KOTIAN AGED 46 YEARS S/O DEVU POOJARY R/A SUJAYA NIVASA KARIYANGADI, BELUVAI MOODABIDRI, MANGALURU TALUK - 574 213.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI P.P.HEGDE, SR. ADVOCATE FOR SRI/SMT. SHARADI S. SHETTY, ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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Digitally signed by ANUSHA V Location: High Court of Karnataka

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SRI SHANKARA VALPADY ADULT ADDRESS: CITU SECRETARY MOODABIDRI ZONE NEAR OLD P.S, MANGALURU TALUK, D.K. - 574 239.

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THE STATE - THROUGH THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MOODABIDRI POLICE STATION, REP BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU - 1.

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…RESPONDENTS

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(BY SRI JAVEED S., HCGP FOR R2; R1 - SERVED)

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NC: 2026:KHC:31860 CRL.P No. 8320 of 2019

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HC-KAR

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THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C. PRAYING TO QUASH THE FIR IN CRIME NO.278/2016 OF MOODABIDRI POLICE STATION, MANGALURU TALUK PENDING ON THE FILE OF THE II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSION COURT MANGALURU CITY D.K., MANGALURU VIDE ANNEXURE-A AND ALL FURTHER PROCEEDINGS IN THE SAID CASES U/S.3(1)(10)(ii) OF SC/ST (POA) 1989 AND 354,392,323 OF IPC.

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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 RAVI V HOSMANI

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ORAL ORDER

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Sri Javeed S., learned HCGP for respondent no.2 - State submitted that proceedings in pursuance of Crime no.278/2016 by Moodabidre Police has progressed during pendency of petition and into registration of Special Case no.13/2020 and same has ended in judgment of acquittal on 12.01.2023 by II Additional District and Sessions (Special) Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru rendering above petition infructuous.

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