Sri. Nagarajaiah. G Vs the State of Karnataka — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

Sri. Nagarajaiah. G Vs the State of Karnataka — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Petition disposed of with directions: respondent police to register the FIR and investigate the matter; concerned Director General of Police to hold an enquiry into the dereliction of duty of the Police Inspector of Madhugiri.

Issue for consideration

Whether the respondent police should be directed to register the case (FIR) and investigate against the driver of lorry No.KA-64-1476 by considering the petitioner's complaint at Annexure-B, given that no FIR had been registered on that complaint.

Court's answer

The petitioner (father of the deceased) had pursued the matter from the time he learnt of the incident; the delay stood protracted by the respondent police and there was no deliberate delay in the petitioner filing the complaint.

Ratio / Principle

There was no justification of any nature whatsoever for the respondent police not registering the petitioner's complaint and investigating the matter in accordance with law.

Key takeaways

The respondent police instead adopted unjustified means and methods by registering the complaint unilaterally against the deceased and concluding that the deceased was on the wrong side of the law.ratio¶54
The material on record clearly indicated dereliction of duty on the part of the Police Inspector of Madhugiri; the concerned Director General of Police was directed to hold an enquiry into the matter.ratio¶58
In the meanwhile, the respondent police were directed to register the FIR on the petitioner's complaint and investigate the matter.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Writ petition (Articles 226 & 227, GM-Police) by the father of Lokesh N, who died on the spot in a 13.04.2023 night collision between car No.KA-03-MH8054 and lorry No.KA-64-1476 near Keregalapalya-Madugiri-Tumukuru road. Although FIR in Crime No.60/2023 was registered the same day against the deceased as Accused No.1 (charge sheet subsequently filed), no FIR was registered on the petitioner's own complaint dated 15.04.2023 (Annexure-B) alleging negligence by the lorry driver. Holding there was no deliberate delay by the petitioner and no justification whatsoever for the police failure, the Court held the police had unjustifiably registered the case unilaterally against the deceased; recording dereliction of duty by the Police Inspector of Madhugiri, it directed the concerned Director General of Police to hold an enquiry and, in the meanwhile, directed the respondent police to register the FIR and investigate. Petition disposed of accordingly.

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NC: 2026:KHC:8441 WP No. 19838 of 2023

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 11^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL WRIT PETITION NO. 19838 OF 2023 (GM-POLICE)

BETWEEN:

SRI. NAGARAJAIAH. G S/O GOVINDAPPA, AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS, RESIDING AT SUNNAKALLARAPALYA, KASABA HOBLI, TUMBADI POST, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT - 572129.

…PETITIONER

(BY SRI. SREERANGAIAH L., ADVOCATE -THROUGH VC)

AND:

Digitally signed by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY ITS SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME, VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU - 560 001

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE TUMAKURU DISTRICT, TUMAKURU-572101

THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE MADUGIRI CIRCLE, MADUGIRI, TUMAKURU DISTRICT - 572216.

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HC-KAR

THE POLICE SUB INSPECTOR C.S.PURA POLICE STATION, GUBBI TALUK,

TUMAKURU DISTRICT - 562120

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SMT.B.P.RADHA, AGA)

THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECT THE RESPONDENTS TO REGISTER THE CASE AND INVESTIGATE THE CASE AGAINST THE LORRY DRIVER BEARING REGISTRATION NO.KA-64 1476, BY CONSIDERING THE COMPLAINT VIDE ANNEXURE-B.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN `B' GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL

ORAL ORDER

Petitioner, who is the father of one Lokesh N, who died in an accident involving a car bearing registration No.KA-03-MH8054 and a lorry bearing registration No.KA-64-1476 near Keregalapalya-Madugiri-Tumukuru road at about 10.30 p.m. on 13.04.2023 is before this Court seeking following reliefs:

"Issue writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, Direct the respondents to direct to register the case and investigate the case against the lorry driver bearing registration No.KA64- 1476, by considering the complaint vide Annexure-B.

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NC: 2026:KHC:8441 WP No. 19838 of 2023

HC-KAR

Sri.Sreerangaiah L., learned counsel for petitioner appearing through video conferencing submits that on the very day of the accident, FIR in Crime No.60/2023 came to be registered by the respondent police against deceased Lokesh, showing him as accused No.1. Said Lokesh died on the spot on 13.04.2023 at 10.30 p.m. Petitioner, father of Lokeshdeceased filed a complaint alleging negligence on the part of the driver of offending lorry on 15.04.2023, which was though received by the District Police Officer, Tumkuru on the very same day, no FIR has been registered. Hence the present petition.

Learned AGA on the other hand submits pursuant to the case which was registered in Crime No.60/2023, a charge sheet has already been filed. However she fairly submits that no case is registered upon the complaint filed by the petitioner against the driver of the offending lorry. She submits if a direction is issued, necessary action in the matter will be taken. She also submits that because of the mistake committed by the deceased, accident had taken place.

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HC-KAR

Be that as it is. Accident in question having taken place on 13.04.2023 at 22.45 hours between 22.50 hours is not in dispute. It is also not in dispute that the deceased Lokesh, son of the petitioner indeed died on the spot on the date of the incident. The FIR in the matter has been registered and dispatched to the concerned Magistrate on 14.04.2023 at 07.30. Father of the deceased, who is the petitioner herein has apparently filed a complaint on 15.04.2023 alleging negligence on the part of the driver of the vehicle and non-co-operation of the respondent police in registering the case against the driver of the lorry.

Complaint at Annexure-B reads as under:

ರವ��ೆ ,

��ೕ�ವ��ಾ � �ಾ�ಗ��ೆ , ತುಮಕೂರು��ೆ� , ತುಮಕೂರು .

ಇಂದ , � . �ಾಗ�ಾಜಯ !"�ೋ#ಂದಪ% , &ಾಸ : ಸುಣ)ಕಲ�ರ+ಾಳ , ಕಸ-ಾ.ೋಬ� , �ೊರಟ�ೆ�ೆ 1ಾಲೂ�ಕು .

2ಾನ �ೆ ,

#ಷಯ : ನಮ6 ದೂರನು7 1ೆ�ೆದು�ೊಂಡುಎ: . ಐ . ಆ= . 2ಾಡ>ೆ ಇರುವಬ�ೆ? .

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NC: 2026:KHC:8441 WP No. 19838 of 2023

HC-KAR

ಈAೕಲBಂಡ#ಷಯ�ೆB ಸಂಬಂ�Cದಂ1ೆ ದೂರು>ಾರ�ಾದ�ಾನು ತಮ6�� D&ೇEC�ೊಳFGವH>ೇ�ೆಂದ�ೆ , E :13.04.2023 ರಂದು �ಾIJ 11.00 ಗಂKೆ ಸಮಯದ�� ನನ7 ಮಗ�ಾದ �ೋ�ೇL , ವಯಸುM 36 ವಷN , ಮಧುP� ಕಸ-ಾ .ೋಬ� ಯ��ರುವ �ಾQNಯR S . ಯು . �ಾ�ೇಜು .ಾTೆUR ಇ�� ೆಲಸ ಮುPC ನಮ6 ಮ�ೆ�ೆ ಬರುIVರು&ಾಗ �ಾ� ನಂ . �ೆ . ಎ -64-1476 .ಾಗೂ ನನ7 ಮಗ ಬರುIVದW �ಾ�ಗೂ ಅಪYತ&ಾP ನನ7 ಮಗ �ೋ�ೇL ಸZಳದ��[ೕ ಮೃತಪ]Uರು1ಾV�ೆ . ಅಪYತ&ಾ>ಾಗ ಸZಳದ��ದW ಸZ�ೕಯರು ನನ7 ಮಗನ ಗುರುIನ ^ೕ]ಯನು7 �ೋQ ತ_ಣ �ೕ" �ಾR 2ಾQ .ೇ�ರು1ಾV�ೆ . ಸು2ಾರು 11 ಗಂKೆ 35 D`ಷ�ೆB �ಾವH ಸZಳ�ೆB .ೋP �ೋಡ�ಾP ನನ7 ಮಗನ ಮೃತ>ೇಹವH �ಾ�ನ ಒಳ�ೆ ಇದುW �ಾ�ಯ cಂ-ಾಗ�ೆB �ಾರು ಒಳ�ೆ ತೂ�ತುV . ಸದ��ಾ��ೆ cಂ>ೆ TೇdU ಬಂಪ=ಸಹ ಇರ�ಲ� . .ಾ�ೇ[ೕ �ಾ�ಯ eಾಲಕನು ಸZಳEಂದ ಅಪYತ&ಾದ ತ_ಣ �ಾ�ಯನು7 ಅ��[ೕ!ಟುU ಓQ.ೋದನು . ಮಧುP��ೕ�ೕಸರು ಸು2ಾರು 11.45 �ೆB ಸZಳ�ೆB ಬಂEದWರು . ಆಗ ಸZ�ಯರು �ಾ�ನ QgB .ೊhೆದು ನನ7 ಮಗನ >ೇಹವನು7 ಆeೆ 1ೆ�ೆದು ಆಸ%1ೆJ�ೆ ಕಳFcCದರು . ��ೕಸರು �ಾ�ಯನು7 .ಾಗೂ�ಾರನು7 iಾjೆಯಹIVರ1ೆ�ೆದು�ೊಂಡು.ೋPರು1ಾV�ೆ . ಆಗ ಅ�� ಅಪYತ&ಾದ ಸಮಯದ�� ಇದWವರನು7 #eಾ�ಸ�ಾP ಮುಂ>ೆ �ಾ�ಯು ಚ�ಸುIVದುW , ನನ7 ಮಗನು �ಾರನು7 ಚ�ಾlC�ೊಂಡು ಬರುIVರು&ಾಗತ_ಣ�ಾ�ಯeಾಲಕನುರTೆVಯ��ಾ�ಯನು7 #�ಾ�ಾರಣ ಅmಾಗರುಕ1ೆlಂದಮಧ ದರTೆVಯ��-ೆJೕn.ಾgD��C>ಾಗನನ7 ಮಗನ &ಾಹನವH �ಾ�ಯ cಂ-ಾಗ�ೆB QgB .ೊhೆlತು ಎಂದು .ೇ�ರು1ಾV�ೆ . �ಾನು ಸಹ iಾjೆ�ೆ .ೋP �ಾIJ[ೕ ದೂರನು7vÉUÉzÀÄPÉÆ½î JAzÀÄ .ೇ�>ಾಗ ಈಗ ಮoೆ �ಾIJ ಆP>ೆ -ೆಳ�ೆ? 10 ಗಂKೆ�ೆ ಬD7 .ಾಗೂ ಅಪYತ&ಾ>ಾಗ ಸZಳದ��ದWವರು .ೋP iಾjೆ�ೆ ದೂರನು7 DೕQರು1ೆVೕ�ೆ . ಆದ�ೆ ನನ�ೆ pಾವH>ೇ ಎ: . ಐ . ಆ= . �ಾSಯನು7 ಸಹ �ೊ]UರುವHEಲ� . ನನ7 ದೂರನು7 ಸಹ .ಾ�ೇ[ೕ ಇ]U�ೊಂQರು1ಾV�ೆ . ನನ7 ಮಗನ ಮೃತ>ೇಹವನು7 ಮ>ಾ ಹ7 �ೕ�U 2ಾಟNಂ �ೆ .ೋಗು&ಾಗಲೂ ಸಹನನ7 ದೂರನು7 �ೊಂದq2ಾQಎಂದು #ನಂICರು1ೆVೕ�ೆ . ಆದ�ೆ ��ೕ�ಇ"M +ೆಕU= ರವರು ಅ>ೆ�ಾ� ಆP>ೆ ಬD7 ಎಂದು ಆAೕ�ೆ Dಮ�ೆ ಎ: . ಐ . ಆ= . Dೕಡು1ೆVೕ&ೆ ಎಂದು .ೇ� �ೕ�U 2ಾಟNಂ �ೆ rಾ� sಾರಂಗ��ೆ ನನ7 ಸcಯನು7 ಪhೆEರು1ಾV�ೆ . ಈ Eನ .ೋP #eಾ�Cದರೂ ಸಹ ನನ�ೆ

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NC: 2026:KHC:8441 WP No. 19838 of 2023

HC-KAR

pಾವH>ೇಎt . ಐ . ಆ= . �ಾSಯನು7 �ೊಡ>ೆ Dನ7 ದೂರನು7 Dೕನು&ಾಪ� 1ೆ�ೆದು�ೊಂಡು .ೋಗು ಎಂದು .ೇ�ರು1ಾV�ೆ . ಸZಳದ��[ೕ ಇದW ಪJತ _ದuNಗಳF .ೇ��ೆ Dೕಡಲು ಬಂ>ಾಗಲು ಸಹ1ೆ�ೆದು�ೊಂQರುವHEಲ� . ಈ ಅಪYತವH �ಾ�ಯ eಾಲಕನ ಆmಾಗರೂಕ1ೆlಂದ .ೆ>ಾW� ಮoೆ ದ��[ೕ -ೆJೕn .ಾgದW �ಾರಣ ¸ÀA¨sÀ«¹gÀÄvÀÛzÉ. .ಾ�ೆ[ೕ �ಾ�ಯ cಂ-ಾಗ TೆS% ಬಂಪ= ಸಹ ಇಲ�>ೆ ಇರುವHದ�ಂದ �ಾರು ¯ÁjAiÀÄ PÉ¼ÀUÉ vÀÆjPÉÆAqÀÄ ºÉÆÃVgÀÄvÀÛzÉ.

ಆದW�ಂದ Tಾv` �ೆ . ಎ -64-1476 �ಾ�ಯನು7 .ೆ>ಾW�ಯ�� ಚ�ಸುIVರುವ �ಾ�ಯ eಾಲಕ #�ಾ�ಾರಣ .ೆ>ಾW� ಮoೆ ದ�� -ೆJೕn .ಾg D��C ನನ7 ಮಗನು ಬರುIVದW �ಾರು ( �ೆ . ಎ -03- ಎಂ . .ೆw .-8054) QgB .ೊhೆದು ಅಪYತ ¸ÀA¨sÀ«¸À®Ä �ಾರಣ�ಾದ�ಾ�eಾಲಕನ#ರುದx�ಾನೂನು �ೕI ಕJಮಜರುPCನಮ�ೆ �ಾ pಾಒದPC�ೊಡ-ೇ�ೆಂದು�ೇ��ೊಳFG1ೆVೕ�ೆ ."

Clearly, it appears that the father of the petitioner has pursued the matter from the time he learnt about the incident and death of his son, which has been protracted by the respondent police, there appears to be no deliberate delay in petitioner filing the complaint. In the circumstances, there was no justification of any nature whatsoever in respondent police not registering the complaint and investigating the matter in accordance with law. Instead, they seem to have adopted an unjustified means and method of registering the complaint unilaterally against the deceased and coming to the conclusion of deceased being on the wrong side of the law.

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NC: 2026:KHC:8441 WP No. 19838 of 2023

HC-KAR

The material placed on record clearly indicates dereliction of duty on the part of the Police Inspector of Madhugiri. Concerned Director General of Police is directed to hold an enquiry into the matter. In the meanwhile respondent police to register the FIR and investigate the matter.

Petition stands disposed of accordingly.

Sd/(M.G.S. KAMAL) JUDGE

SBN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 36