RAKESHKUMAR Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present petitioners, who are arraigned as accused Nos.1 to 3 in respondent No.1-Police Station in Crime No.100/2021 for the offence punishable under Ss. 78(1)(a)(vi) and 80 of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as 'KP Act'), have sought for quashing of the said criminal proceedings against them.

(2.) The summary of the case of the prosecution is that, based on a credible information that accused/petitioners herein were involved in cricket betting and gambling, the respondent No.2, joined by the panchas and duly supported by the permission of his superior authorities and the permission granted by the Court for search and seizure, has proceeded on 10/11/2021, at 9.45 p.m. to a house near Danammadevi temple of Kunchanur road in Jamakhandi town. Parking their official jeep at a distance, the raiding team observed that, three persons sitting in a house said to be of Sri.Kallappa Singadi, were viewing their cell phones (mobile phones) and one among them, was collecting money from the public and noting down something in the note book. Suspecting the cricket betting, the raiding team surrounded them, however, the people who were paying money to the alleged bookies, ran away from the place. The present petitioners who were collecting money from the public and noting down in a note book and also making use of cell phone were caught hold. From their possession, not less than eight cell phones, a note book, a ball point pen, two motorcycles and a cash amount of Rs.1,55,500.00 collected from the people on betting were seized by drawing a seizure panchanama in the spot. The raiding Police Officer after returning to the police station, lodged a complaint which was registered in respondent No.1 Police Station in their station Crime No.100/2021 against the present petitioners for the above mentioned offences.

(3.) Learned High Court Government Pleader is appearing for the respondents.