Smt Mafia Devi Vs the Secretary — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

Smt Mafia Devi Vs the Secretary — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

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NC: 2026:KHC:26436-DB WPHC No. 41 of 2026

HC-KAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 4^TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026

PRESENT

THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN

AND

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T

WRIT PETITION (HABEAS CORPUS) NO.41 OF 2026

BETWEEN:

SMT. MAFIA DEVI W/O LATE LADHU RAM AGED ABOUT 45 YEARS R/AT No.363, 1^ST STAGE 2^ND CROSS, KUVEMPUNAGAR

JALAHALLI EAST

Digitally BENGALURU-560 014 signed by PAVITHRA N Location: High Court (BY SRI. S. RAJ PRABHU, ADVOCATE) of Karnataka

…PETITIONER

AND:

THE SECRETARY

HOME DEPARTMENT

GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

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NC: 2026:KHC:26436-DB WPHC No. 41 of 2026

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M.S. BUILDING

BENGALURU-560 001

STATE OF KARNATAKA

BY GANGAMMA GUDI POLICE STATION

BENGALURU-560 090 REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

HIGH COURT COMPLEX BENGALURU

…RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. B.A. BELLIYAPPA, SPP-I A/W.

SRI. P. THEJESH, HCGP)

THIS WP(HC) IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227

OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT

OF HABEAS CORPUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO TRACE, SECURE AND PRODUCE THE MISSING PERSON Ms.BHAVANA SOLANKI BEFORE THIS COURT.

THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,

JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:-

CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN and

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T

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NC: 2026:KHC:26436-DB WPHC No. 41 of 2026

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ORAL JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN)

This Writ Petition (Habeas Corpus) is filed by the mother of the alleged detenue seeking to issue a Writ of Habeas Corpus directing the respondents to trace, secure and produce the petitioner's daughter before this Court.

2. We have heard Shri. S. Raj Prabhu, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, Shri. B.A. Belliyappa, learned State Public Prosecutor-I along with Shri. P. Thejesh, learned High Court Government Pleader, appearing for the official respondents.

3. The learned SPP-I submitted before us that the statement of the alleged detenue had been recorded. In the statement, she specifically stated that she is a major, aged about 20 years, and that she left her home on her own volition. She has also stated that she does not wish to return to her mother's house or to be troubled anymore by enquiries from her family for reasons best known to her.

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4. Today, when the matter was taken up, the

presence of the alleged detenue was secured through Smt. Anjali. L - PSI and Smt. Lakshmi A.N. - WPC 17166 of the Gangamma Gudi Police Station.

5. We had a detailed interaction with the alleged detenue. She has specifically informed us that she is not under any illegal detention and that she is working and is comfortably situated as of now and does not wish to join the writ petitioner or to be troubled any more in this regard.

6. W e notice that the alleged detenue is admittedly a major. She is gainfully employed and is residing away from her family on her own volition. T here is no element of illegal detention involved in the matter.

7. In the above view of the matter, Writ Petition (Habeas Corpus) stands dismissed , holding that there is no illegal detention of the alleged detenue.

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However, in the event the alleged detenue

apprehends any threat to her life or livelihood, she is at liberty to approach the jurisdictional police, who shall provide her with adequate protection in accordance with

law.

Sd/(ANU SIVARAMAN) JUDGE

Sd/(VENKATESH NAIK T) JUDGE

CP

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