Pundalika Bhat Vs Smt. Chandrika N Pai — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Pundalika Bhat Vs Smt. Chandrika N Pai — Karnataka HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Recall of the order dated 23.10.2025; condonation of 444 days' delay by allowing I.A.No.1/2026 and I.A.No.2/2026; two demand drafts ordered to be sent to the Trial Court for withdrawal by the complainant under due identification; Registrar (Judicial) to intimate the Trial Court (Fax/e-mail) for issue of release order in respect of the accused in both revisions; Crl.RP.No.1445/2019 disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether the order dated 23.10.2025 could be recalled and the delay of 444 days condoned, given that the revision petitioner had paid the fine amounts.

Court's answer

Taking note that in all a sum of Rs.14,00,000/- had been paid by the revision petitioner, the order dated 23.10.2025 is recalled.

Ratio / Principle

Delay of 444 days is condoned by allowing I.A.No.1/2026 and I.A.No.2/2026.

Key takeaways

The two demand drafts submitted are ordered to be sent to the Trial Court, and the complainant is directed to withdraw the said amount under due identification.ratio¶¶29
Registrar (Judicial) is directed to intimate the order to the Trial Court forthwith through Fax and e-mail, for issue of release order with respect of the revision petitioner/accused in Crl.RP.1444/2019 and Crl.RP.No.1445/2019.ratio¶¶30

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Criminal Revision (S.397 r/w 401 CrPC / 438 BNSS notation), High Court of Karnataka, single-judge oral order: The revision petitioner tendered demand drafts totalling Rs.14,00,000/- towards the fine in Crl.RP Nos.1444/2019 and 1445/2019 (Rs.7,00,000/- in each). Taking note that the entire fine amount stood paid, the Court recalled its order dated 23.10.2025, condoned the delay of 444 days by allowing I.A.Nos.1/2026 and 2/2026, ordered the two demand drafts to be sent to the Trial Court for withdrawal by the complainant under due identification, and directed the Registrar (Judicial) to intimate the Trial Court forthwith by Fax and e-mail for issue of the release order in respect of the accused. Crl.RP No.1445/2019 was disposed of.

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NC: 2026:KHC:14077 CRL.RP No. 1445 of 2019

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION NO.1445 OF 2019 (397(Cr.PC) / 438(BNSS)

BETWEEN:

PUNDALIKA BHAT S/O SRI NARASIMHA BHAT, AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS, R/AT INDAVARA, YADEHALLI VILLAGE, KASABA HOBLI, THIRTHAHALLI TALUK, SHIMOGA DISTRICT – 577 432

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. SHIVARAJA AKKONI, ADVOCATE)

AND:

Digitally signed by R MANJUNATHA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

SMT. CHANDRIKA N. PAI W/O NAGARAJ PAI, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, R/AT NO.24/25, 3^RD MAIN ROAD, 6^TH CROSS, SRINIDHI LAYOUT, BENGALURU-56007 …RESPONDENT (BY SRI. GOPAL SINGH, ADVOCATE) THIS CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 397 R/W 401 CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT DATED 14.06.2019 PASSED BY THE LXIV ADDITIONAL CITY CIVIL AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BENGALURU IN CRL.A.No.309/2018 CONFIRMING THE JUDGMENT DATED 27.01.2018 PASSED BY THE XVI ADDL.C.M.M., BENGALURU IN C.C.No.11795/2016.

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

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NC: 2026:KHC:14077 CRL.RP No. 1445 of 2019

HC-KAR

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE V SRISHANANDA

ORAL ORDER

Heard.

Yesterday, i.e., 05.03.2026 sum of Rs.7,00,000/- is tendered by the petitioner by way of two demand drafts.

This Court by order dated 04.03.2026 rejected the applications – I.A.No.2/2026 and 1/2026 in Crl.R.P.1444/2019. Consequently, Crl.R.P.1444/2019 was dismissed for non prosecution made absolute.

In respect of the said case also sum of Rs.7,00,000/- is tendered by the revision petitioner to the counsel for respondent. Same is not disputed by the respondent who is present before this Court.

Taking note of the fact that in all a sum of Rs.14,00,000/is paid by the revision petitioner. Since the fine entire amount is paid, the order dated 23.10.2025 is recalled. Delay of 444 days is condoned by allowing I.A.No.1/2026 and I.A.No.2/2026.

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NC: 2026:KHC:14077 CRL.RP No. 1445 of 2019

HC-KAR

Two demand drafts submitted are ordered to be sent to

the Trial Court. Thereafter, complainant is directed to withdraw the said amount under due identification.

Registrar (Judicial) is directed to intimate this order to the Trial Court through Fax and e-mail forthwith, for issue of release order with respect of the revision petitioner/accused – Pundalika Bhat forthwith in Crl.RP.1444/2019 and Crl.RP.No.1445/2019.

Accordingly, the Crl.RP.No.1445/2019 is disposed of .

Sd/(V SRISHANANDA) JUDGE

MR

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