GAVIN MENDES Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by Accused No.4 for quashing the chargesheet filed in C.C. No.30760/2014 arising out of Crime No.29/2014 of Hebbal Police Station, on the file of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bengaluru, for the offences punishable under Sections 4 , 5 & 7 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, Sections 370, 370 A (2), 292 of IPC , 67 of Information Technology Act and Section 14 of Foreigners Act.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader. Perused the chargesheet records.

(3.) The facts leading to the petition are that on the report filed by the Police Inspector, Women & Narcotic Drugs Squad, C.C.B., the Hebbal police have registered the case in FIR No.29/2014. The allegations are that on 07.02.2014, the complainant - Police Inspector received credible information about illegal activities regarding prostitution by supplying foreign and Indian girls by contacting customers through international website. The said information was confirmed by sending a decoy. Thereafter, on 08.02.2014, the persons involved in the said activities were called through decoy for supply of foreign girls. On receiving the reply regarding supply of the girls for prostitution at a place called the Kaisar Service Apartment, the complainant, his staff along with panchas have conducted the raid at the said apartment and have arrested three accused namely two girls and a man who had supplied the said girls to the decoy. On the information given by the accused No.1, it is learnt that he has solicited the customers through E.Mail I.D., i.e., [email protected] and [email protected] and website designed by accused No.4 - Gavin Mendes. After completion of the investigation, the police have submitted the chargesheet. The petitioner is arrayed as accused No.4.