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Munikrishnappa v. the State of Karnataka

Karnataka HC15 Jun 2026WPHC/62/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Habeas corpus writ petition, High Court of Karnataka, 2026; missing adult daughter (Keerthana M., about 20) traced and produced by Ramamurthy Nagar Police; detenue voluntarily returned to parents with undertakings of care and continued education; missing complaint Crime No.313/2026 under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Article 226; disposed of; bench: Anu Sivaraman and Venkatesh Naik T. (per Venkatesh Naik T., J.).

What did the court decide?

Detenue Keerthana M. was produced before the Court by the police; on her stating willingness to go with her parents unconditionally and continue her education, and the parents giving undertakings of proper care, food, shelter and education, the writ petition (Habeas Corpus) stood disposed of. ¶45

Munikrishnappa Vs the State of Karnataka — Writ and Judicial Review | Karnataka HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether a writ, order or direction in the nature of habeas corpus should issue directing Respondent Nos. 1-3 to produce the petitioner's daughter Keerthana M. (aged about 20 years) and set her at liberty. +1 more

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Court's answer

In the above view of the matter (detenue produced and willing to go with her parents), the writ petition (Habeas Corpus) stands disposed of.

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Ratio / Principle

On enquiry, the detenue stated she is willing to go with her parents unconditionally and continue her education.

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Key takeaways

The parents of the detenue undertook to take their daughter with them, not to abuse or torture her, and to provide her proper care, food, shelter and education.ratio¶40

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.H.C. No. 62 of 2026 (High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru; coram Anu Sivaraman and Venkatesh Naik T., JJ.; per Venkatesh Naik T., J.; dated 15.06.2026). Father's writ petition (Habeas Corpus) under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking production and liberation of his daughter Keerthana M., aged about 20 years, who went missing from her college premises on 18.05.2026 at around 11:30 a.m.; a missing complaint stood registered as Crime No.313 of 2026 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 at Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The police produced the detenue before the Bench. On enquiry, the detenue stated she was willing to go with her parents unconditionally and continue her education; her parents undertook to take her with them, not to abuse or torture her, and to provide her proper care, food, shelter and education. The writ petition (Habeas Corpus) was disposed of. No precedents cited; no impugned prior judicial order; no dissent.

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NC: 2026:KHC:28924-DB WPHC No. 62 of 2026

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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 15^TH DAY OF JUNE, 2026

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PRESENT

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THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN

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AND

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T

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W.P.H.C. NO.62 OF 2026

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BETWEEN:

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MUNIKRISHNAPPA

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AGED 44 YEARS HORAMAVU, BENGALURU SOUTH BENGALURU-560 043.

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…PETITIONER

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(BY SRI SHIVAPRAKASH M., ADVOCATE)

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AND:

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Digitally signed by ANJALI M Location: High Court of Karnataka

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THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA AMBEDKAR VEEDHI

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BENGALURU-560 001.

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THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BANGALORE METROPOLITIAN CITY BENGALURU-560 001.

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THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER RAMAMURTHY NAGAR POLICE STATION BENGALURU-560 016.

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…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI B.N. JAGADISH, S.P.P-I, ALONG WITH SRI THEJESH P., H.C.G.P.)

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2 - NC: 2026:KHC:28924-DB WPHC No. 62 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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THIS W.P.H.C. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 226 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN THE NATURE OF A HABEAS CORPUS DIRECTING RESPONDENT NOS.1, 2 AND 3 TO PRODUCE THE BODY/PERSON OF THE PETITIONER'S DAUGHTER-KEERTHANA M., AGED ABOUT 20 YEARS, BEFORE THIS HON'BLE COURT AND SET HER AT LIBERTY, AND ETC.

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THIS W.P.H.C. IS COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:

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CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN and

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HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T

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ORAL JUDGMENT

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(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T.)

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Writ petition (Habeas Corpus) is filed seeking the

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following reliefs:

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"i. Issue a Writ, Order or Direction in the nature of a Habeas Corpus directing Respondent Nos.1, 2 and 3 to produce the body/person of the Petitioner's daughter KEERTHANA M., aged about 20 years, before this Hon'ble Court and set her at liberty,

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ii. Direct the Respondent Police Authorities to conduct a time-bound and thorough investigation/search to trace the Detenu, and

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iii. Direct Respondent No.3 to produce the Detenu and hand over her custody to the Petitioner."

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3 - NC: 2026:KHC:28924-DB WPHC No. 62 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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The petitioner is the father of the detenue. The detenue was residing with her parents since twenty years. On 18.05.2026 at around 11:30 a.m., the detenue went missing from her College premises. The petitioner made a diligent search for his daughter, but he could not trace her. Hence, he lodged a missing complaint before Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru, in Crime No.313 of 2026 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and he also filed this writ petition (Habeas Corpus).

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Today, Sri Devendra Kumar, Sub-Inspector of Police, and Smt. Sudha Rani K.M., Women Police Constable of Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station, Bengaluru, have produced the detenue before us.

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On enquiry with the detenue, she is willing to go with her parents unconditionally and continue her education. The parents of the detenue also undertake to take their daughter with them and also undertake that they will not abuse or torture her and provide her proper care, food, shelter and education.

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NC: 2026:KHC:28924-DB WPHC No. 62 of 2026

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HC-KAR

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