PRABHURAJ Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is before this Court calling in question the proceedings in C.C.No.4319/2020 registered for the offence punishable under Sec. 3 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 ( 'Act ' for short).

(2.) Heard Sri.Harish.N.R., learned counsel appearing for petitioner and Sri.B.J.Rohith, learned High Court Government Pleader appearing for respondent.

(3.) Brief facts leading to the filing of the present petition, as borne out from the pleadings, are as follows: The petitioner is the owner of residential premises bearing No.16, Shivagiri Nilaya, Nagarabhavi, 6th cross, Coconut Garden, Bengaluru. Petitioner lets out the premises to accused No.1, pursuant to a rent agreement entered into between the parties on 11/12/2019. A search is conducted by the police on 25/1/2020 on the premises where the tenant-accused No.1 was residing and finds that the accused No.1 was running a brothel. Pursuant to the said search, a crime is registered against the petitioner and others for offences punishable under Ss. 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Act and under Sec. 370 of the IPC. The petitioner being the owner of the premises was issued a notice on 29/1/2020 to which the petitioner replies on 31/1/2020, explaining the circumstances of him being not aware of what activities happening in the house which he has rented it out. The police, after investigation, have filed charge sheet in the matter against the petitioner as well for the offence punishable under Sec. 3 of the Act. It is at that juncture the petitioner knocks the doors of this Court in the subject writ petition.